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Partner Grant Highlights
- PBS/Ready To Learn Stations (27 station pilot grant sites)
- American Library Association (15 library grant sites)
- After-school programs (five local outreach sites; 10 national grant sites)
In Season 1, 27 PBS stations served as Cyberchase pilot outreach demonstration sites. Each station agreed to conduct a minimum of four Cyberchase workshops with at least one in partnership with a local library. In Season 2, grants were awarded to 15 libraries in cooperation with the American Library Association (ALA) and to 10 national after-school programs. In addition, teachers and caregivers at five after-school organizations in New York City offering summer programs were trained and given materials. Grantees were required to facilitate family workshops in their libraries and programs in collaboration with local PBS stations where applicable. The workshops focused on families in low-income areas who don't always have access to technology and to families who speak English as a second language.
Partnerships
ALA/Cyberchase -- The ALA/Cyberchase partnership first focused on raising awareness. Twenty-seven PBS stations held nearly 200 workshops in sites ranging from libraries to housing projects, reaching an estimated 42,000 children. During the next season, Cyberchase strengthened the ALA partnership by co-sponsoring 60 Cyberchase workshops at 15 libraries across the country. During the third season, 15 libraries nationwide were awarded Cyberchase grants to initiate programs.
Girls Inc. -- A national nonprofit youth organization "dedicated to inspiring all girls to be strong, smart and bold," Girls Inc. provides vital educational programs to millions of American girls, particularly those in high-risk, underserved areas. As part of this new partnership, Cyberchase conducted training at three regional conferences in the fall of 2003, having a direct impact on 36 chapters across the nation, which collectively meet the needs of more than 1,500 girls. Attendees explored ways to incorporate Cyberchase's fresh approach to math with their Operation SMART (Science, Math and Relevant Technology) activities by being introduced to the TV series, activities and Web site, and by receiving instruction on how to conduct math workshops utilizing free Cyberchase resources. Planning is under way to launch the program on the national level. Math Momentum -- Math Momentum in Science Centers will also partner with Cyberchase. Working with TERC/ASTC, this group of leading science and children's museums has agreed to develop an exhibit or program that combines science and mathematics. The program will highlight problem-solving strategies found in science. Cyberchase, with its "math-is-everywhere" philosophy, offers a much-needed bridge for those science centers.
Cyberchase staff will meet with group members at ASTC's annual conference to find out how Cyberchase can best contribute to science centers. Three to five sites will be recruited to make Cyberchase a component of their Math Momentum project. Cyberchase will provide museums with hands-on workshops based on episodes with strong science-math connections, banners, and other display materials.
PBS Ready To Learn (RTL) -- RTL has also embraced the series as a wonderful way to conduct local outreach with school-age children. Boys & Girls Clubs, the Girl Scouts, 4-H Clubs, TODOS-Mathematics for All (which focuses on minorities, especially Spanish-speaking families), the Afterschool Alliance, Equals Family Math, and other groups have also distributed Cyberchase resources, partnered to host events, and incorporated Cyberchase into their ongoing activities.
The Weekly Reader runs a monthly Cyberchase column in its fourth-grade edition, reaching 35,000 teachers and 800,000 children eight times a year.
Outreach & Promotional Conferences & Events Highlights
Appearances at educational and outreach conferences enable Cyberchase to build awareness, distribute resources, train and directly engage math teachers, supervisors, and after-school leaders.
- PBS Ready To Learn Seminar
Approximately 300 representatives from PBS stations attend this annual conference. In addition to a training session, Cyberchase distributes information and materials at its booth, where attendees can have their photo taken with the Digit walkabout character.
- National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics (NCSM)
In 2003, 1,800 supervisors at the national, state, and local levels received Cyberchase master informational materials to distribute in their respective school districts. To further enhance knowledge of Cyberchase, a presentation will be made at the 2004 NCSM Conference.
- National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)
In 2003, information and materials were made available at the Cyberchase booth to the 20,000 teachers of mathematics in attendance. In addition to booth presence, a formal presentation will be made at one of the 2004 NCTM Conference general sessions.
- American Library Association Conference (ALA)
In 2003, Cyberchase exhibited at ALA's annual conference, which was attended by more than 12,000 librarians. Approximately 2,000 Cyberchase materials were distributed. Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for the library grant initiative were also made available.
- Girls Inc.
Cyberchase conducted training at three regional conferences in the fall of 2003. A formal announcement of the partnership will be made at the Girls Inc. Biennial Conference, with additional training taking place at three 2004 regional conferences.
- National Teacher Training Institute (NTTI)
This Thirteen professional development program has trained 150,000 teachers to effectively use video and the Internet in their classrooms. In 2003-04, with funding from The Picower Foundation, NTTI held four institutes in the New York area focusing on Cyberchase. If funding permits, NTTI will expand this initiative to five additional markets, training a minimum of 500 teachers to integrate Cyberchase resources. Locally recruited master teachers will lead each daylong institute. Participants will go on to train peers in their schools or districts, expanding Cyberchase's reach to thousands of students.
- Children's Day at South Street Seaport
Despite the rain, an estimated 12,000 people attended the 11th annual event in 2003, held in conjunction with South Street Seaport and the Downtown River to River Festival. (More than 30,000 attended in 2002.) Located in the Pier 17 Atrium, Cyberchase Central attracted between 2,000 and 3,000 kids with fun activities, educational materials, photo opportunities with the Digit walkabout character, and a stage show with Digit and live characters Harry and Bianca.
- New York is Book Country
In addition to a stage show featuring Harry, Bianca, and Digit, Cyberchase continues to have a booth presence at this street book fair, which has an estimated 250,000 attendees. Guests receive Cyberchase giveaways and have the opportunity to meet their favorite character.
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