Before training
Software Preparation
The approved MathWorks STEM Outreach License was shared approximately one month before the program, supporting preparation through MATLAB Onramp and Simulink Onramp.
RAOP
Recruitment & Selection
The Robotics and Automation Outreach Program (RAOP) recruits pre-service and in-service STEM educators for research experience at Howard University. Recruitment emphasizes educators serving high-need local education agencies (LEAs) and educators preparing to teach in grades 6–12 STEM settings, with a primary outreach focus on Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
The central goal is to help educators bring robotics and automation learning back to their schools. Selection considers motivation, participation readiness, and realistic plans for adapting the experience to teaching.
2026 Recruitment Cycle Complete
The first cohort included eight educators: two pre-service and six in-service educators. Summer training took place July 6–24, 2026. Information below describes the first-cycle application framework. The proposed next-cycle timeline below supports early planning; final requirements will accompany the recruitment announcement.
Ask about future participationNext cycle · planning schedule
Proposed 2027 Recruitment and Preparation
Proposed schedule — subject to confirmation by the RAOP project team. Applications are not yet open.
Earlier recruitment gives educators time to plan. The proposed April preparation package provides about two months before June onboarding for introductory learning and access checks.
November 2, 2026 · Proposed
1. Publish the recruitment announcement
Proposed launch of the next-cycle call, with eligibility, participation expectations, and support information.
January 29, 2027 · Proposed
2. Priority application deadline
Proposed deadline for a complete application and supporting documents.
February 1–26, 2027 · Proposed
3. Review and interviews
Review eligibility and program fit; discuss teaching goals, availability, and support needs.
March 12, 2027 · Proposed
4. Selection notifications
Target date for communicating offers and waitlist decisions.
March 26, 2027 · Proposed
5. Confirm participation
Target date for accepting an offer and identifying preparation and access needs.
April 12, 2027 · Proposed
6. Share the preparation package
Provide the guide, preparation activities, and software-access instructions, subject to confirmed licensing. This allows about two months before onboarding.
June 14, 2027 · Proposed
7. Educator onboarding
Review the program, guided inquiry, school teaching goals, and the assessment framework.
June 28, 2027 · Proposed
8. Technical readiness session
Check MATLAB, Simulink, QLabs, and assigned platform resources; resolve access issues.
July 2, 2027 · Proposed
9. T1 readiness checkpoint
Proposed readiness deadline before virtual instruction. Revised cycle-specific forms will be issued.
July 6–16, 2027 · Proposed
10. Two-week virtual phase
Guided digital-twin investigations; proposed T2 submission July 15 and review July 16. Session times will be confirmed.
July 19–23, 2027 · Proposed
11. One-week on-site phase
Supervised platform rotations; proposed T3, T4, and T5 checkpoints on July 23. Advisory review dates will be confirmed separately.
Fall 2027 · Proposed
12. School implementation follow-up
Review activities implemented or planned, available evidence, barriers, and curriculum refinements.
Final announcements will confirm eligibility, application materials, software access, participant support, and session times. Any change will be communicated before the affected deadline.
Educator Eligibility
In-Service Educators
The first-cycle application guidance requested a teaching certificate and verification of current employment in a high-need school or district.
Pre-Service Educators
The first-cycle application guidance requested a current transcript and a brief advisor letter confirming progress toward teacher certification.
Both groups were asked to describe how the research experience could support their current or future teaching. Educators with questions about their eligibility or documentation can contact the RAOP team.
Contact the program team2026 Application Materials
- Professional CV or résumé
- Teaching, academic, and relevant professional experience.
- Eligibility documentation
- Documentation appropriate to the applicant’s in-service or pre-service status.
- Statement of purpose
- Approximately 500 words describing a STEM teaching challenge and how robotics and automation research could help address it.
- School integration plan
- A short response describing how the educator intends to adapt RAOP learning for courses, curriculum units, after-school activities, or clubs.
- Recommendation
- A letter from a principal or administrator for in-service educators, or a faculty mentor or advisor for pre-service educators, with the recommender’s name and email address.
The program’s online application collected these materials. Requirements for future cycles will be provided with the next recruitment announcement.
Selection Process
The published application framework organizes review around the following steps:
- Eligibility and completeness review: check the application and supporting documentation.
- Application review: consider program alignment, the proposed teaching connection, and feasibility.
- Shortlisted interviews: discuss participation readiness, school context, and support needs.
- Selection and acceptance: communicate offers and confirm participation; use a waitlist when needed.
- Preparation: coordinate logistics, software access, and technical readiness.
Selection Considerations
- Eligibility and completeness
- Appropriate documentation and the required application materials.
- Purpose and program alignment
- Interest in robotics and automation research, guided inquiry-based learning, and evidence-based investigation.
- School integration
- A feasible connection to STEM teaching that considers student readiness, instructional time, and available resources.
- Participation and support needs
- Availability for the virtual and on-site phases and identification of preparation or access needs.
- Peer learning and educational context
- Opportunities to learn across teaching backgrounds, with emphasis on educators serving high-need schools and pre-service educators preparing for STEM teaching.
First-Cycle Recruitment and Preparation
Recruitment used the program website and application process, school and district contacts, and university networks. The project team coordinated selection and preparation for the eight-educator cohort.
June 15, 2026
Onboarding
Educators reviewed the program schedule, participation expectations, software requirements, and instructional resources.
June 29, 2026
Technical Follow-Up
A follow-up session supported technical preparation. T1 readiness checks documented account access, software setup, QLabs preparation, and support needs.
Preparing for Future Participation
Educators interested in a future cycle can review the program format, consider a STEM teaching question they would like to investigate, and identify how the experience could support their students. Questions about technology, scheduling, and participant support can be discussed with the RAOP team.
Follow RAOP & stay connected
Program updates, announcements, and educator highlights.
Instagram links to Fadel Lashhab’s profile. Some social platforms may require sign-in.