Robotics and Technology
CSTL strives to support STEM education through dynamic programs that support youth and educators through applied robotics and technology challenges.
The robotics and technology program includes professional development for educators, events for youth, and development of partnerships.
Current Activities:
A project-based STEM & robotics curriculum that is designed for and by Indigenous students!
To request a copy, please email NAUroboticsEd@gmail.com
This curriculum was developed by a team of Indigenous educators, parents, and students, a Diné Hataahłii, and an anglo researcher in STEM education through a series of monthly workshops in 2021 and 2022. The curriculum and lesson format follow the American Indian Institute’s December 2002 “Handbook for Native American, Alaska Native, and Canadian First Nations Culture-based Curriculum Developers.” This was funded by the Braitmayer Foundation and NASA through the Northwest Earth and Space Science Pathways (NESSP). It is linked to multiple standards for use in the formal education classroom and was built around an existing national robotics challenge designed for informal STEM clubs, afterschool, and summer camp environments: The Rover Observation and Drone Survey (ROADS) national NASA student challenges for grades 3-12 available at www.nwessp.org
The ROADS Challenges
Rover Observation And Drone Survey (ROADS) is science, engineering, and technology challenges for students in grades 3-12 designed to follow the objectives of current NASA missions. They include the use of robots, drones, and scientific investigation technologies.
Professional Development Opportunities and challenge registration are posted on nwessp.org when they open in the fall. The annual challenge registration closes in January and the season runs from the end of January through April or May each year. NAU hosts the regional in person challenge event each year as part of the Lunar Legacy Invitational or the Flagstaff STEM Celebration at the end of the school year.
FIRST® Robotics Events – Help grow the robotics ecosystem in Arizona
CSTL supports the growth of the FIRST® team ecosystem, including FLL Jr., FLL, FTC, and FRC. We are specifically providing professional development to rookie FRC teams through a pilot program in 2019-2020.
FIRST® Core Values: It’s way more than building robots. We express the FIRST philosophies of Gracious Professionalism and Cooperation through our core values:
- Discovery
- Innovation
- Impact
- Inclusion
- Teamwork
- Fun
If you are interested in starting a team, or are a FIRST® rookie team in need of support, then please contact csapio@firstpartners.org