Welcome to NYU Tandon School of Engineering's Applying Mechatronics to Promote Science (AMPS) / Central Brooklyn STEM Initiative (CBSI) Program. For over a decade, our team here at NYU Tandon has advocated engaging students' fascination with modern technologies (e.g., robotics, gaming, and sensing) as a hook to stimulate them to learn science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

The AMPS/CBSI project is a partnership between NYU Tandon School of Engineering and our current eighteen public schools in Brooklyn. The program brings together graduate "Fellows", schoolteachers, university faculty and other NYU Tandon resources to accelerate STEM teaching and learning in schools. The National Science Foundation, corporate and foundation sources fund the program. Fundamentals of our program model take place in science classrooms during the school day and elements take place in an after-school setting at least once per week.

In the 2014-2015 school year, NYU Tandon School of Engineering will add 8-10 new public schools to the 32 week program. To be considered, a school's principal must apply and at least one of the school's teachers must be identified in the application. We expect a very competitive process this year with the increased interest in STEM education generally and in robotics in particular. Please see below for other important details.


The objectives of the program are to:

1. Broaden the education and training of Fellows; to provide them with teaching, communication, pedagogical, and team building skills.
2. Develop human resources by enabling Fellows to develop a deeper understanding of STEM concepts and the process of knowledge building.
3. Engage and excite students in STEM studies through robotics competitions, real-world science and engineering projects that make use of mechatronics and robotics.
4. Develop human resources by inspiring K-12 students to pursue challenging academic work, meet high academic achievement standards, and acquire a passion for STEM disciplines/careers.
5. Provide teachers with professional development, technology proficiency, qualifications, and resources to integrate hands-on learning activities in their classes. And to;
6. Strengthen the ties between NYU Tandon School of Engineering and NYC schools.

Important Policies, Procedures and Dates:

1. One application per school
2. Up to two teachers may be involved in the program
3. The total available stipend to facilitate teacher(s) participation is $4,500
4. This program may be competing with other supplementary enrichment programs in your school, including athletics, music, art, community service, etc. Please only apply if enhancing STEM education is a top priority at your school.
5. For schools not currently in the program, the application process will be in two stages:
   • Initial application is due to NYU Tandon by close of business May 15, 2014
   • If your school is selected to proceed to the next and final stage, some additional information will be required, and mutual time commitments will be documented and verified. Please use the following as an initial guide for estimating a teacher's non-classroom time commitment; the general expectation for in-class participation is 5 hours/week
     • 36 hours during the summer of 2014. This includes a week-long block of technical training and professional development at the end of the summer and short planning meetings in June, July and August with a Fellow
     • Up to 96 hours during the 32 week program for after-school robotics
     • Up to 30 hours during the 32 week program for weekend events such as qualifiers and robotics competitions
     • 30 hours during the 32 week program for mandatory project meetings, reporting and the like
   • First round notifications to applicants will be made May 30, 2014
   • Invited final applications are due close of business June 15, 2014
   • Notification of acceptance into the program for the 2014-15 school year will be June 30, 2014

AMPS/CBRI fellowship highlights:

• Over 12 Ph.D. fellowships in controls, mechatronics and robotics
• $30,000 stipend and full tuition
• Engineering majors
• US citizenship or permanent residancy required
• Sponsored by NSF GK12 fellows program and others

Note: CBRI fellowship is only available to first year graduate students while AMPS fellowship is not available to 1st year graduate students.

In addition to completing this application form, graduate students must provide the following additional information:

• Essay
• Official transcript
• Curriculum vitae
• GRE scores from Educational Testing Services
• Two letters of recommendation

Note: Students with undergraduate/masters degrees in mechanical, aerospace, civil, electrical, electronics, computer, chemical, or biomedical engineering are encouraged to apply for an AMPS graduate fellowship.

Deadline: All application material must be received by May 15, 2014.

Directions for applicants:

• Complete the application form.
• Save your application form using our naming convention described below.
• Submit your application form using regular mail or email.

Naming convention for application form: YourFirstName_YourMiddleName_YourLastName_StudentType.pdf
Failure to name your application form using our naming convention will result in an incomplete application.


Submit your application form through regular mail or email to:

Prof. Vikram Kapila
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Tandon School of Engineering
New York University
6 MetroTech Center
Brooklyn, NY 11201
vkapila@nyu.edu