Robotics is the interdisciplinary branch of engineering and science that includes mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, and others. Robotics deals with the design, construction, operation, and use of robots, as well as computer systems for their control, sensory feedback, and information processing.
During robotics class at P.S./I.S. 78Q, students engineer and program Lego Mindstorms EV3 robots using a variety of sensors, motors, and Legos. Challenges include a Sumo robot competition, building animals that sense and react to their environment, and engineering Mars Rovers.
Our students have been selected to participate in Robotics competitions.
Code.org: Grades K-8
Students in grades K-8 participate in computer science through the program code.org.
Students will create computer programs that will help them learn to collaborate with others, develop problem-solving skills, and persist through difficult tasks. Students can create their very own custom games or story that they can share.
NYC Junior Ambassadors Program-Gr. 7
Creating Global Diplomats, Locally
P.S./I.S. 78Q Gr. 7 students were selected to be part of the cohort for the UN Junior Ambassadors Program. The students were selected by a committee of local and international leaders who share a commitment to empowering youth through strong connections with the United Nations and its work.
Excerpt from the website:
The Robert F. Wagner Jr. School (P.S./I.S. 78Q)
NYCJA Topic: Climate change
The Robert F. Wagner Jr. School (P.S./I.S. 78Q) is one of the most successful K-8 schools in New York City. It provides a “world class education” with a special focus on the arts and technology. The parents, teachers and school community work to achieve excellence in education for all students in an exciting, enriched and safe environment that mirrors a concern for children, an emphasis on staff development and the inclusion of all aspects of the school community. We are united in the belief that all of our students can achieve a high standard of knowledge and performance.
The NYC Junior Ambassadors at P.S./I.S. 78Q are hands-on learners – they learn science by exploring and experimenting. Additionally, the 7th graders have a variety of talents and expertise – using their diversity as an asset for creative teamwork. Through this combination of scientific curiosity and collaboration, they are uniquely prepared to tackle the global issue of climate change.
New York Edge: Grades 6-8
The mission of New York Edge is to help bridge the opportunity for middle school students by providing programs designed to improve academic performance, health and wellness, self-confidence, character and attitudes for success in life.
- CORE VALUES
- Character and Leadership
- Accountability and Integrity
- Commitment to Excellence
- Collaborative and Diverse Community
- Goal Focused and Forward Thinking
- Innovation and Creativity
- Hope and Optimism
South Street Seaport Museum
Students sail New York Harbor aboard historic 1885 schooner PIONEER, a floating outdoor classroom full of inspiring, hands-on activities. Students who explore our Harbor estuary under sail increase their environmental awareness of our local natural resources and develop a historical perspective on the significant role of the port for our city and our country. Students help raise sail, see the Statue of Liberty and other Harbor landmarks, and observe a variety of ships.
P.S./I.S. 78Q Learning Garden
Students at P.S./I.S. 78Q have been engaged in a project to create and maintain a vegetable garden in Gantry State Park and the garden located in front of the Middle School Building. The primary goals of the project is to help students to recognize that they can take responsibility for their own nutritional needs by growing vegetables and to learn about best practices for growing healthy vegetables. In addition, the project has welcomed the participation of the school community.
The interdisciplinary nature of the project engages students working in all subject areas with a focus on reading, science, writing and mathematics.
Grow To Learn
Grow to Learn connects with our families and the P.S./I.S. 78Q community, helping to bring everyone together to facilitate student development. The program supports students collaborating with one another, building leaders and learning how to make contributions to a community.
Garden To Café
The Garden to Café program connects school and community gardens with school lunch meals through seasonal harvest events and supporting educational activities. The NYC Department of Education’s Office of School Food partners with Grow to Learn NYC.
Students and the school community shares in the bounty of the school gardens and celebrate with harvest events. School Food kitchen teams prepare produce and turn it into delicious foods like kale salad, fresh herbed vinaigrettes and roasted root vegetables, giving students a chance to taste what they have grown.
- Program goals:
- Support instruction on gardening and the local food system
- Raise awareness of the benefits of school gardening
- Influence healthful food choices
- Increase student consumption of more fresh and locally-grown produce
My Chinese Teacher (MCT): Grades 3 & 4
My Chinese Teacher Program, MCT, is Mandarin foreign language program using technology to connect to a China-based teaching team. Every lesson is live and interactive. The Chinese teacher based in China uses video conferencing technology and connects to the classroom to provide a Chinese language and culture program.
The classroom receives a weekly 25-minute Chinese lesson over video conferencing with a Chinese teacher. The classroom teachers provide follow up instruction to reinforce the lesson provided by the teacher based in China.
Department Of Environmental Conservation
‘A Day In The Life Of The Hudson River’: Grades 5-8
This fall the students in grades 5-8 participated in the event that is designed to celebrate the Hudson River Estuary and educate participants on the uniqueness of our estuary as part of the annual recognition of “National Estuaries Week”. The event is coordinated by The Hudson River Estuary Program of New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory.
The students gathered data on the Hudson and shared their results, gaining a better understanding of this historic and vital estuary system.
New York City Department Of Environmental Protection’s Water Resources Art And Poetry Contest
Second through twelfth grade students attending public, independent, charter or parochial schools (or homeschooled) in New York City and East and West of Hudson Watersheds are invited to create original art and compose poetry that reflects an appreciation for our shared water resources.
Studio In A School: Grades 3-5
Professional artists work in collaboration with our classes and design a curriculum that gives students, grades 3-5, the opportunity to experiment with different art media and to explore a particular visual or academic theme or course of study in fourteen-week residency.
Renzulli Learning: Gr. K-8
Renzulli Learning, an Internet-based educational tool, that provides fun, engaging, and meaningful activities that are tailored to meet your child’s individual interests and needs. The Renzulli process begins when your child completes his or her Renzulli Profiler™ assessment, which uncovers your child’s top three interests, learning styles, and expression styles. Then, based on your child’s Renzulli Profiler results and grade level, the system narrows down its database of more than 40,000 enrichment activities to the 1,500–3,000 enrichment activities that best match how your child learns.
Schoolwide Enrichment Model (SEM): Gr. 1-8
We provide a broad range of advanced-level enrichment experiences to all students. Our students are provided opportunities to engage in investigations grounded in their talents, interests, and abilities.
Our Enrichment Clusters have included:
- Coding and Programming
- Science Explorers
- Watercolor Art
- Scrap Jazz
- 3D Sculpture
- Cartoon Movie Making
- Passport to Italy
- Multimedia Storytelling
- Culture Through Cuisine
- Young Reviewers
- Exploring our Ecosystem
- Dance Fusion
- Get Up & Move
- Let’s Act
Newtown Creek Alliance: Grades 4 & 7
The Newtown Creek Alliance is a community-based organization dedicated to restoring, revealing and revitalizing Newtown Creek.