The National Science Foundation-funded Robotics:  Opportunities for Building Outstanding Talent in the Sciences (R.O.B.O.T.S.) is designed to provide awareness of the scientific world, especially that described through astronomy and physics.  Students will have Internet access to a remote-controlled radio telescope, robotic telescopes, including a solar radio telescope; two optical solar telescopes; and an optical telescope (the “polaris telescope”). The project will stimulate students’ interest in mathematics and science while creating real-world experiences in astronomy and physics via robotics and engineering design.  Astronomers and educators from the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute, staff from the planetariums associated with the NC Grassroots Science Museums Collaborative, will collaborate with STEM professionals and university faculty to enhance teachers’ confidence and comfort with the delivery of physics and astronomy concepts which have served as a barrier to many middle school students’ pursuit of these fields, especially those from underrepresented populations. The project also will bring more families into museums and planetariums. When students complete this project they will be able to make a smooth transition to advanced level, high school mathematics and science courses with the knowledge of scientific competitions, research opportunities, and college majors and careers that they will be qualified to pursue.  

Students 

Two hundred ten (210) underserved rural, urban and suburban students in grades six to eight are provided 200 hours of out-of-school time (OST) evening, Saturday and summer intensive hands-on, inquiry-based STEM experiences, with a special focus on astronomy, physics and robotics. The project will help to improve students’ understanding of STEM by: (1) exposing them to non-traditional science fields such as astronomy and physics via robotics; (2) e-mentoring by STEM professionals  

EDUCATORS  

Middle school mathematics, science and English language arts teachers and career awareness counselors

·        provide instruction for students

·        engage in high quality exciting out-of-school time (OST) professional development that impacts their in-school time (IST) curricula.

·        participate in professional learning communities

·        have access to STEM e-mentors provided through the NC Technology Association (NCTA) Education Foundation  and university arts and sciences, education, and engineering faculty         

·        Teachers’ participation in professional learning communities along with opportunities for mentoring, which involves the full participation of STEM professionals and, will help encourage students,’ teachers,’ and parents,’ enthusiasm for and understanding of STEM.  

PARTNERS    

UNIVERSITY

FACULTY   

E-MENTORS   

PARENTS 

A selected group of parents will participate train-the-trainer sessions, which qualify them to conduct workshops for other parents.  The parent workshops will include, but are not limited to:

• the value of astronomy and physics to our society
• requirements for an undergraduate astronomy or physics major
• colleges/universities that offer astronomy, physics, and related majors
• undergraduate research opportunities
• career opportunities in astronomy and physics
• information on scholarships and other financial support.

 Astronomy-related, hands-on activities and competitions that promote interest and encourage parental interaction with student participants will be part the parent workshop offerings.