Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education outreach

[richardc]

From Paul Chayka of Robotics And Beyond:

Quote:Hello from Robotics And Beyond, a tiny organization trying to make a big difference in getting young people interested in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). You are receiving this note because, as personal or business acquaintances, or friends of friends, we're hoping that you share our desire to make this difference. We are asking for your valuable time in sharing this with others who may want to support a specific project. Any networking you can provide through e-mail, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn etc. will be a tremendous help.

Robotics And Beyond is a home-grown (New Milford, CT), Not-for-Profit dedicated to promoting interest, education paths and careers in Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) including k-12 and on into college. We began in 2004 with a local program of summer camps and now attract students from 80 miles and three states, on a nearly all-volunteer effort. We have gained tremendous insight for how to expose young people to STEM and foster their interest and progress all the way into college and careers. We plan to expand our products, services and reach within our current geographic area and establish a model for replication in other areas of the state and country.

Robotics And Beyond has launched a Kickstarter project to help commercialize a game-based introduction to robotics and computer programming for elementary-age students. Kickstarter is an organization which serves as a coordinator of donations made to specific projects and helps broadcast the project ideas to wide social networks. Donations are made at the Kickstarter project page. Individual donations typically start as low as $1 - $10 and often reach much higher. Donations are tax deductible. Even the smallest donations earn rewards. In our case, $30 also earns a game for 1-3 players and $75 earns a game for 10-12 players. Enough “orders” for the product drops the cost per unit so that enough can be produced and allow real marketing to begin. Kickstarter and similar organizations are the social media equivalent of a community barn raising and have had coverage on MSNBC and in the NY Times. Donations involve opening a Kickstarter account and then using Amazon.com for placing the donation. If you prefer to not open a Kickstarter account then you may send a donation by check payable to Robotics and Beyond to the address below. Please note "Kickstarter" on teh memo line and be sure to include your e-mail address so we can provide follow-up info and rewards.

Our game invention, "Step-By-Step," uses playing cards and floor tiles to create scenarios which students describe and act out using simple logic steps common to all computer programming languages. The project link above has a video that describes the game. Our goal for the Kickstarter project is to record $3,000 in donations by our 45-day time limit (Feb. 12, 2012). We’re getting close to that date so time is getting short! You can watch our progress toward this goal at the project link. If we reach the goal then your donation is kept and if not then your donation is returned.

Thank you for your help. We welcome you to contact us at any time and by any means for more information on the Kickstarter project or Robotics And Beyond in general.

Paul Chayka and Michael Morrissey

Founders and Directors, Robotics And Beyond, Inc., a 501©3 dedicated to promoting awareness and igniting career interest in science, technology, engineering & math among grades k-12 and beyond.

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31 Cortland Drive, New Milford CT 06776-5740