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Partnering with a Charter School to Reach At-Risk Students

November 7, 2006

The Cornell Center for Materials Research (CCMR) has been developing hands-on activities to interest students in science and technology for over a decade. To bring these resources to some of New York City's most at-risk students, the CCMR has partnered with the Harlem Children's Zone (HCZ) — a pioneering, non-profit community-based organization that works to enhance the quality of life for children and families in central Harlem.<br /> Cornell faculty, staff and students traveled 200 miles to visit the Promise Academies — charter schools operated by HCZ. In one event, Prof. Itai Cohen and his graduate students led 130 kindergarten and first grade students as they explored the states of matter and tried their hand at classifying unusual materials. Students mixed sodium tetraborate with glue to make The Cornell team has also led professional development workshops for the school's 15 elementary and middle school teachers." />