Carnegie Mellon University begins high-end technology training workshop for teachers at Manav Rachna International School

Manav Rachna International School Institution’s teachers to be the first to be introduced to high-end Technology training, by the leading skill development firm.

iCarnegie, a subsidiary of Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA (USA) has conducted a 4 day workshop from 15th – 18th March 2011 for MRIS teachers. The Dynamic and Exciting Robotics Education, gave them an opportunity to use and understand the state-of-the-art curricula in Robotics as a step to teach Computer Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (CS-STEM) to children at the school level.

Robin Shoop, Director, Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy, a leading international firm in the development of K-12 robotic education curriculum using the motivational effects of robotics to inspire children to study and pursue careers in science and technology was also present during the sessions.

Martin Radley, Dick Swan and Ron Shell also took the sessions and discussed with the teachers about the content, robots and transaction.

Recently, Gurgaon-based ASPIRE, signed of an agreement with iCarnegie, a subsidiary of Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA (USA) and Manav Rachna Educational Institutions (MREI) at the MRIU campus in Faridabad.  Together, Aspire, MREI and iCarnegie have introduced various skill-centric courses to provide students in India with high quality practical outcome-based curricula that will improve their employability.

Speaking about the workshop Dr. Amit Bhalla, Director, Vice President, MREI said, “The focus of MREI has always been curriculum innovation, strong industry partnership and seamless integration of science and Technology. We are glad that Aspire and iCarnegie have recognized our research and innovative curriculum structure and have associated with us for their programs.”

“The School program at Manav Rachna Schools—STEM using Computer Science and Robotics—begins at early age  and, in junior high school, begins with pre-algebra concepts and introduces students to IT. At the 6th - 8th grade level, robotics and computer science are used to provide context for students and develop algebraic reasoning—which is a critical instructional topic for middle-school age children. This is also the time children are developing their own identities for (or often against) science and technical careers. In senior school, the academic focus is on physics, advance computer science, and engineering projects,” he further added.

Manav Rachna Educational Institutions students are the first to be introduced to high-end technology courses from iCarnegie. A school certificate programme with state-of-the art robotics-based curricula for the KG-12 segment to teach Computer Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (CS-STEM) using Computer Science and Robotics.

“We at iCarnegie have a mission to transform the world through education”, said Robin Shoop, Director, Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy, “We provide everything from Educational Strategy to Program Development to help nations, their governments and their school systems build capacity in both teaching and learning. We are indeed very excited about bringing our programs to students at MREI and are pleased to have forged collaboration with Aspire which is working towards making the education system in India more robust, skill-centric and employment-oriented.”

Along with the setting up of Robotic Labs in the schools, selected teachers from all Manav Rachna Schools from Faridabad and Gurgaon attended the four day workshop at MRIS-Charmwood, Faridabad.

In the junior school, the programme begins with pre-algebra concepts and introduces students to IT concepts. In the middle school, robotics and computer science are used to provide context for students and develop algebraic reasoning. In the senior school, the academic focus is on physics, advance computer science and engineering projects.

Robotics at MRIS offers an exciting way to learn and premier context for teaching and integrating Computing, Sciences, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (CS-STEM) concepts available to education. It has evolved as a transformational technology found everywhere, a critical enabler in all industry sectors: energy, agriculture, manufacturing, health care, service, construction, education, and defense. This project ensures that students learn the engineering design process, and mathematical and algorithmic thinking that positions the country for future economic success.

To maintain quality, iCarnegie has developed multiple mechanisms that help insure that the level of instruction provided, can be monitored, adjusted and improved over time.