STEM Centers

About the NYC FIRST STEM Centers

NYC FIRST STEM Centers are hubs of learning that provide valuable, scarce STEM educational experiences to students, teachers, and communities across the five boroughs. Our two STEM Centers are the first in a planned network of STEM education centers – one at the new Cornell Tech campus on Roosevelt Island, and the other in partnership with New York Public Library at the Washington Heights Branch. 

Both STEM Centers offer a range of programs and workshops, including computer science, digital and non-digital fabrication, mechanical engineering, electronics, and sensors. Resources include 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC routers, miter saws, drill presses, metal saws, and a host of other tools.

Locations

Cornell Tech ↓

Open Lab Hours
times when anyone can join us
Monday: 4:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Tuesday: 4:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Wednesday: 4:30pm - 8:00pm
Thursday: 4:30pm - 8:00pm
Friday: 4:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Saturday: 12:00pm - 10:00pm
Sunday: 12:00pm - 10:00pm

To stay updated, Follow our Instagram
Address
11 E Loop Road #6A
New York, NY 10044
6th floor of the Tata Innovation Center

Contact our Program Managers if you have any questions!

Meet the Cornell Tech team

Washington Heights ↓

Drop In Hours
times when anyone can join us
Monday:
closed
Tuesday:
2:30pm - 6:00pm
Wednesday:
2:30pm - 6:00pm
Thursday:
2:30pm - 6:00pm
Friday:
2:30pm - 4:00pm
Saturday:
11:00am- 4:00pm
Sunday: closed

To stay updated, Follow our Instagram
Address
Washington Heights Library (New York Public Library)
Lower Level
1000 St Nicholas Ave
New York, NY 10032​

Contact Makayla if you have any questions!

Meet the Washington Heights team

STEM Center Programs

After-School and Weekend Workshops

The NYC FIRST STEM Centers offer after-school and weekend workshops, as well as open hours. Please see the hours for each location or follow us on Instagram to stay updated on workshop opportunities.

High School Credit-Bearing Courses

The NYC FIRST STEM Centers provide local high schools with 3-hour-long credit-bearing, year-long courses as part of an advanced, immersive, sustained engineering curriculum. Students in these courses have access to high-end technology, machines, equipment and tools, as well as access to workforce training, internships and career opportunities.

District 6: Community-Wide Robotics

In 2021, we reopened our STEM Center in Washington Heights with a new structure that has the capacity to reach thousands more students: supporting robotics programs in every public school within District 6 of the NYC public school system. NYC FIRST has partnered with Community District 6 leadership and all of the district’s schools to bring meaningful, engaging, and joyful robotics education to students and teachers, as part of the district’s iSTEM initiative. To support this new expansion, NYC FIRST is supporting the community through field trips and professional development for educators in District 6.

Summer Open Hours

NYC FIRST will be offering Open Hours for exploration and learning at the Washington Heights STEM Center, reach out to makayla@nycfirst for additional details and available hours.

Professional Development

Get teaching, training and guidance by our experienced and expert educators. We currently offer PD for educators interested in applying Design Thinking and Rapid Prototyping approaches to their curriculum. Contact Us to schedule one today!

Free Resources for Educators

Coming Soon! We are excited to launch resources for educators and administrators looking to bring making and robotics into their curriculum and programming.