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The next generation of leaders and builders must use complex technology to solve some very tough problems.

The Solution:

Build-It-Yourself content and supporting platforms prepare students to use technology to resolve or better understand important practical and social issues in a playful way.

The Results:

Build problem solving skills, confidence,  and teamwork. Juniors at an inner city school present their solution to the challenge ... build a mechanical simulation of what happens in your body when you drink beer.

Students who have participated in the Build-It-Yourself program have enrolled at some of the best schools in the country including MIT, Harvard, Yale, Milton, Phillips Andover and Choate.

Strategy:

• Present a series of projects that inspires boys and girls to build.
• Offer a database of construction tips that enables students and teachers to build complex, engaging solutions quickly.
• Enable students, parents and teachers to collaborate with Build-It-Yourself artists, engineers, and computer programmers.
• Drive electronic commerce of tools, parts and supplies by developing a passionate, loyal Internet community of builders.
• Partner with publishers, distributors and manufacturers to bring the Build-It-Yourself program to a global market.

Benefits:

• Parents, after-school program directors and teachers get the tools and support they need to engage and manage teams of kids building complex projects.
• Kids learn valuable lessons in problem solving, team work, building, constructive applications of technology and presenting ideas.
• Corporate partners gain new, life-long customers and associate their products with a popular, highly valued program.

Differentiation:

• The Build-It-Yourself robotics program appeals to a broad range of boys and girls because it applies technology to a broad range of kids' interests and social issues in a playful way.
• Kids can execute complex, creative ideas quickly because the Build-It-Yourself database of construction modules encourages kids to break down solutions into simple, reusable, functional building blocks.
• Experienced, inspiring, Build-It-Yourself specialists, (many from MIT and Harvard) collaborate with kids, parents and teachers via live Webcasts.
• The Build-It-Yourself program focuses on the presentation of ideas as much as on the execution of ideas. The result ... kids build confidence because their projects win positive feedback.

The Team:

A team of engineers, artists, educators, students and business developers (primarily from the MIT/Harvard community) have made valuable contributions to Build-It-Yourself.

Revenue:

Between 2004 - 2008, over 2,000 students have attended an average of 17 hours of Build-It-Yourself after-school workshops generating revenue of more than $400K.  These students have paid between $10-$18 per hour.  More than 80% of revenue is from repeat customers.

The goal is to build a large community of at-home, $10/month members.  (Similar to a multiplayer gaming community.)

Reference Programs:
- Greater Lawrence Technical School, Andover, MA
- Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA
- Buckingham, Browne & Nichols, Cambridge, MA
- The Pierce School, Brookline, MA
- The Park School, Brookline, MA
- The Pike School, Andover, MA 
- The Concord Academy, Concord, MA
- Riverside Middle School, Riverside, RI
- Jamestown School, Jamestown, RI
- Cranston Middle School, Cranston, RI
- Renbrook School, West Hartford, CT
- The Runkle School, Brookline, MA
- The Winn Brook School, Belmont, MA
- Meadowbrook School, Weston, MA
- Camp Gan Israel, Hartford, CT
- Chenery School, Belmont, MA
- La Mesa School District, La Mesa, CA 
- After-school program for Microsoft employees, 
   Bellevue, WA
- Lawrence Academy, Groton, MA
- Cambridge Montessori School, Cambridge, MA