“Oh my gosh! I barely can contain myself....soooo fun!!! So challenging and so rewarding at the same time!!!”
- Jessica Fernandez, Math Teacher,Glen Edwards Middle School, California
Accomplished link
Formal evaluations suggest that the program increases student interest and achievement in computing, robotics and STEM. Student participants are 33% Hispanic, 20% Asian, 19% Caucasian, 14% multi-racial, 9% African-American, 4% Pacific Islander, and 2% American Indian. The annual RoboPlay competitions on C-STEM Day are designed to engage underperforming students and schools, who regularly win or place alongside high achieving students.
The C-STEM program can significantly increase math performance and close the achievement gap for at-risk and gifted students alike. The success stories of using C-STEM program to close the math achievement gap, including helping ALL students in an Algebra 1 class with 84% “at-risk” students to pass the Algebra can be found here. In 2016-2017 school year, 14% more C-STEM students in Northwest Local School District in Cincinnati, Ohio scored proficient or higher on the Ohio Computer Based Assessments for Math, comparing the data from 2015-2016 school year.
The program implementation includes annual subscription, professional development, textbooks, software and a class set of low-cost physical computing and robotic hardware, starting at $900. There are also many different roles for volunteers at C-STEM, including speaking at school sites, mentoring student teams or volunteering at the annual C-STEM Day competitions. Anyone who has a passion for robotics, can’t get enough algebra, loves teaching, or just likes helping students in the community can get involved.
The programs in this database clear a high bar. STEMworks reviewed each program against the Design Principles for Effective STEM Philanthropy.
Identify and target a compelling and well-defined need.
Use rigorous evaluation to continuously measure and inform progress towards the compelling need identified.
Ensure work is sustainable.
Demonstrate replicability and scalability.
Create high impact partnerships
Ensure organizational capacity to achieve goals.
Offer challenging and relevant STEM content for the target audience
Incorporate and encourage STEM practices.
Inspire interest and engagement in STEM.
Identify and address the needs of under-represented groups.