2022 COMBAT Funding: $56,000.00

In MINDDRIVE's Own Words

Since 2010 MINDDRIVE has offered STEM project-based, experiential learning program to underserved, at-risk, culturally diverse teens (14-18 years old) in the urban core. The purpose of the program is to provide technical and vocational skills, teamwork, critical thinking, structure, planning, process, success/failure, accomplishment and leadership opportunities in an environment supported by adult volunteer mentors and facilitators.

Expanding Program—And Minds

MINDDRIVE expanded in 2015 to participate in Electrathon America, a nationally recognized competition where teams strive to build the most efficient electric-powered vehicle. The winner is determined by how many laps each vehicle can complete over one hour with a specified battery configuration. In 2016 the program expanded again to offer evening classes and summer programming.

During the 2017-18 school year, BattleBots and Kansas City’s first drone racing program were added. Since the fall of 2018 MINDDRIVE has partnered with public and charter schools for school-day classes offered at our facility, with credits toward graduation. Additionally in the spring of 2019, in-school drone clubs were added.

Base Curriculum

• Welding/fabrication – students learn to weld culminating in fabrication of sculpture they design
  
  
• Electrathon – students design, develop, build, test and race competitive electric vehicles
  
  
• Drones/Robotics – students design, construct and compete in BattleBot and drone-racing leagues
  
  
• Digital Content Design – students learn basic graphic design, photography, videography
  
  
• Legacy auto conversion – students convert cars to electric power sources
  
  
• Accelerate – life-skills, career readiness and financial literacy class for juniors and seniors

More Than 200 Students

We can serve over 200 students in after school, school-day and summer programs. Ultimately evolving as a workforce development program, the long-term goal of MINDDRIVE is to build capacity of youth to achieve success in school, work and life, and to provide pipelines to full-time employment through post-secondary training, certification and/or education, aiming to increase the number of minority and at-risk youth pursuing STEM careers.

Outcomes

• Increased academic success. Through improved student collaboration, critical thinking and self-management skills, under-supported at-risk urban youth achieve academic success and graduate high school.
  
  
• Reduced risk of poor health outcomes including violence and mental distress. Students are engaged in collaborative problem solving that crosses the borders of any particular discipline. Solving these problems requires multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches and builds capacity to persevere in the face of failure. Students form a positive relationship with caring adults.
  
  
• Increased positive attitudes toward STEM careers. Staff and adult mentors from the community promote awareness and positive attitudes toward STEM careers, ultimately creating stronger links between schools and area STEM employers.

Offering Services To Double The Number Of Schools

In the 2020-2021 school year we doubled the number of schools and increased our operating budget more than 20%. Additionally, we have more than doubled the number of daytime students we serve, from 35 to 80.