Current Projects
21st Century Community Learning Centers
at Alfred E Smith Career and Technical Education High School
In 2013, VEI was awarded the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Grant, which is now in its fifth and final year for this round. Through 21st CCLC we are the lead provider of a program we titled CARS, or Career and Academic Readiness Services, in collaboration with our partners at NYC-based CBO, Creative Connections.
21st Century Community Learning Centers, Round 3 (2006)
In 2006, VEI received funding through the NYSED-administered 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant, in partnership with the nonprofit organization SOBRO, to to provide after school programs for 150 youth, ages 14-19, enrolled in Morris High School Campus and Evander Childs High School Campus. Programs included Electronic Music, Web Design, Robotics, Video Production, and Blogging.
VEI developed Ohmwork through a grant from the MacArthur Foundation. Ohmwork was designed to be a science-centered social network and podcast site where young people could share their do-it-yourself (DIY) projects. They could also contribute to one another's projects, customize the site, and collaborate as part of their collective digital learning. Developed by VEI, Ohmwork aspires to become an online network for DIY science.
CARS
Career & Academic Readiness
CARS includes programs in career and college readiness, entrepreneurship, STEAM, visual and performing arts, academic enrichment, and parent engagement.  These programs aim to complement the existing project-based learning model that career and technical education (CTE) programs are rooted in.  We strive to provide expanded real-world applications for the knowledge and skills our students build through their existing classes and integrated 21st CCLC programming.  Our goal is to provide diverse offerings and a holistic programmatic approach that fosters community, confidence, and collaboration for students, parents, teachers, administrators and other school staff and community members.
Lego Robotics
LEGO Robotics integrates STEAM into the classroom by working on increasingly complex Lego robotics projects in 9th grade math and shop classes on a weekly basis. By following detailed blueprints to build and program robots, students build skills in following directions, problem solving, collaboration, computer programming and math and geometry concepts.
Career & Academic Readiness
College Connections exposes middle and high school students to the options, opportunities and benefits of attending college. Students learn about different levels of education, careers, interview and presentation skills.
To learn more about Creative Connections' College Connections program, visit their website.
