Although Modular Robotics doesn’t offer grant programs directly, we’ve collected a variety of resources and a list of open grant funding opportunities to help you secure funding for your work with Cubelets.
Below is a summary of federal, state, and local funding sources Cubelets may be eligible for, including sources aimed at technology, curriculum, PD, STEM/STEAM, before and after school programs, high-need students, and career and technical education.
Need help finding information about funding in your state or district? Get in touch at support@modrobotics.com.
The American Rescue Plan (ARP) included over $120 billion for K-12 education in The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund.
90% of the ESSER funds must be allocated by State Education Agencies (SEAs) to Local Education Agencies (LEAs) according to Title I allocations. States were asked to submit their plans by June 7, 2021. Allocations of funds by SEAs and LEAs must meet the following 2 requirements:
20% of money is designated to address “learning loss”. LEAs will likely use a greater proportion for programs targeting unfinished learning. School districts have broad discretion over how they spend the funds .
The ESSER II deadline is September 30, 2023 and ESSER III deadline is September 30, 2024.
Cubelets are a one-time purchase that can be used for years in a variety of classroom settings. Cubelets Educator Packs do not require consumables; and a generous one-year warranty helps ensure that students can continue using Cubelets for years to come.
ESSER II (Sept 30, 2023)
Any activities authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, IDEA, Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, and Adult Education and Family Literacy Act. ARP Act Section 2001(e)(2)(A) through Section 2001(e)(2)(D).
Purchasing educational technology, which could include hardware, software, and connectivity, for students served by the LEA that aids in regular, substantive educational interaction between students and educators, including low-income students and students with disabilities. This could also include assistive technology or adaptive equipment. ARP Act Section 2001(e)(2)(K).
Planning and implementing summer learning and supplemental afterschool program activities, including providing classroom instruction or online learning during the summer months and addressing the needs of low-income students, students with disabilities, English learners, migrant students, students experiencing homelessness, and children in foster care. ARP Act Section 2001(e)(2)(M). Addressing learning loss among all students in all subgroups, including by:
Examples of Cubelets in Action
Governor Moorhead School, NC – Cubelets for Low-Vision and Blind Students
Northside Independent School District, TX – Cubelets for After-School Programs
Pinellas School District, FL – Cubelets Reach 100% Student Engagement
Recommended Products and Services
Cubelets Education Packs & age-appropriate Lesson Plan Bundle.
Cubelets Camp Curriculum [FREE] can be tailored for summer learning or after-school care.
Interdisciplinary lessons [FREE] in the Grab Bag support every subject.
Here is some helpful information and sample text to use when writing a proposal.
Modular Robotics started as a spin-off from Carnegie Mellon University, where founder Eric Schweikardt designed Cubelets while working on a PhD. After years of research and development, Cubelets robot blocks were released to the public in 2010. Early funding came from National Science Foundation grants and venture capital from the Foundry Group. This began our work of trying to make the world a better place with thousands and thousands of tiny robots.
Production of Cubelets started inside a small house in Boulder, Colorado, where circuit boards were hand-assembled with tweezers and hot plates. In late 2013, Modular Robotics launched the MOSS robot construction system on Kickstarter. The campaign reached its $100k goal in 12 hours and went on to raise more than three times the original goal. More than 10 years after being introduced to the public, Cubelets robot blocks continue to inspire and engage children, students, and museum visitors all over the world.
In 2019, Modular Robotics began the next chapter in its history by acquiring Dexter Industries, another educational robotics company. In addition to Cubelets, Modular Robotics now makes the GoPiGo and BrickPi Raspberry Pi robots, leveraging and extending a popular computing platform into the field of robotics.
To date, work continues supporting a family of robotics brands and developing new experiences that will continue what is becoming a decades-long tradition of building tools that help educate and inspire people all over the world.
“I seek to create an afterschool program that supplements the normal school day with STEAM programming. Using Northside Independent School District as an example, I will purchase one Classroom Set of Cubelets and Lesson Plan Bundle for each after school program site.
Cubelets are an open-ended robot building system that gives students screen-free opportunities to build intuitions about complex systems, computer science, and robotics. By using Cubelets afterschool, students will practice computational thinking and build interdisciplinary skills that will support them in all subjects. Additionally, Cubelets are accessible to all learners regardless of adaptation requirements and language-needs. This means all students will have equitable access to this tool and curriculum.
Additionally, the Cubelets Lesson Plan Bundle includes both teacher-guided lessons and Activity Cards for stations or independent student time. That flexibility is essential for afterschool programs because these programs are designed to be complementary to the structured school days.”
Cubelets Resources to Consider:
Cubelets In Action:
Northside Independent School District, TX – Cubelets for After-School Programs
General Research to Consider Referencing:
A National Study of Afterschool STEM Programming
A Meta-Analysis of Out-of-School Time on Student STEM Interest
Have a set of Cubelets in hand while you write your grant. The Review Kit only supports one group of learners, but it is the perfect introduction to Cubelets while you write a detailed grant proposal.
Anxious to use Cubelets while you wait for your grant to be funded? Cubelets Cycle lets you try a classroom-sized Cubelets set for a limited period of time. The Cubelets Cycle Program is also a way to demonstrate the effectiveness of your program proposal to support your grant application with data from your students and teachers.
The Educator Resources are all written and tested by classroom educators. Browse these free resources to get some ideas about how you might like to use Cubelets with your students.
Research and development at Modular Robotics has been generously funded in part by SBIR grants from the National Science Foundation.
2020
Learning® Magazine Teachers’ Choice℠
Award for the Classroom
2019
Parents’ Choice Recommended Award®
2019
Common Sense Education
Top Pick for Learning
2019
The National Parenting Center
Seal of Approval
2018
STEM.org
Authenticated™ Educational Product