Winter 2009 Newsletter - Volume 1, Issue 1

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"Using LEGO as a teaching principle makes the science principles accessible and fun!"
-Whittier Parent

Whittier students not only build with LEGO robotics kits according to our curriculum guides, but also imagine what could be build with robotic parts. Above, a 1st grader devises a plan for a pizza machine, something we could all appreciate.

"When education is lighting a fire, there is nothing more exhilarating."
-Stephanie Gonzales

Students compose “Engineer's Reports” as part of their activities with the robotics kits. Here, a first grade student draws a gear train, which was part of a unit on gears and pulleys.

"Dominican culture is incredibly friendly and welcoming, and I truly feel like a part of this community."
-Katie Apone

The Robot Round-Up

Getting Involved with Technically Learning

There are many reasons to donate to Technically Learning: we're a 501(c)(3) (EIN 20-8225314), which means your donations are tax-deductible; you are helping us provide supplies, curriculum and trainings that educate our future doctors, engineers and scientists; and you will continue to receive updates about the student whose lives you are affecting. We might even name a robot after you.

To express our gratitude, we will recognize your contribution in our Annual Report, published each spring. Larger donors will also receive recognition on our website throughout the year, and in profiles in the quarterly newsletter. Plus, take a look at the giving circle list below: who wouldn't want to be associated with these top minds?

Ada Lovelace Circle [$100+]
       Recognition in the annual giving report (published in the spring)
Charles Darwin Circle [$250+]
       All of the above, plus a Technically Learning t-shirt
George Washington Carver Circle [$500+]
       All of the above, plus recognition on a robotics kit at one of our sites
Marie Curie Circle [$1,000+]
       All of the above, plus an invitation to a special TL supporters event
Isaac Newton Circle [$2,500+]
       All of the above, plus recognition on the website in a dedicated area for our top donors
Nicola Tesla Circle [$5,000+]
       All of the above, plus a short profile in future quarterly newsletter
Albert Einstein Circle [$10,000+]
       All of the above, plus a lunch with the Board President and the Development Director

Volunteer

Please contact Natalie Champ at natalie@technicallylearning.org if you are interested in volunteering. We welcome volunteers from all across the country, as many positions can be done remotely; that means anyone — even you! — can lend a hand! Currently, we are seeking volunteers for the following positions:

Curriculum Development volunteers help TL staff with curriculum at various stages of innovation and composition. Please see our volunteer profile on page 5 for more information about this position.

For Special Events volunteers, creativity and personality are your best assets. We are looking for volunteers who would be willing to help plan and host fundraising events here in Seattle. Know a good coffeehouse or bar that would be willing to host an event? Maybe you are a pop culture expert and want to host a trivia night, or you are willing to organize a "Mystery Science Theater"-like event featuring a robot-themed B-flick. We are open to any great ideas you may have, and we’d like volunteers who will take the initiative to get these events off the ground. We are also looking for volunteers who could assist with the planning and coordination of an annual event; likely tasks will include securing donations, planning committee meetings, and volunteering at the event.

Teacher Training and Support Volunteers are the go-to people for teachers running our programs. The position would begin with teacher trainings and/or refreshers at the beginning of the school year for your assigned teacher/school, and volunteers would lead a few trainings throughout the school year. Depending on the school, you might also be working with parent volunteers who assist teachers with our programs. After the initial trainings, volunteers would shift into supporting roles, available to answer questions and troubleshoot for teachers throughout the year. Occasionally, we have teacher trainings that do not require regular follow-ups, and we may have positions for one-time teacher trainings. If you would like to be part of an "on call" volunteer corps that conducts occasional teacher trainings, you may submit an application and we will contact you on an as-needed basis.

Our Financial Advisor would be someone who could serve in an advisory capacity as we prepare yearly budgets, financial projec-tions for our five-year business plan, and annual tax and financial documents. We may also ask you to prepare documents, de-pending on your availability and the complexity of the documents. Ideal candidates are versed in non-profit finances (including documents and regulations), or would be in a position to perform necessary research on these issues on our behalf. Preferred volun-teers would have CPA certification and/or training in an accounting field. While this position may begin as a voluntary, advisory one, it could develop into a staff, director or board position as our organization realizes our planned expansion.