What is Robot Biomimetics

Assemble employs a “pay-what-you-can” revenue model in an attempt to reduce financial barriers for youth in Pittsburgh's East End to attend maker activities in the space. Assemble is a community-based makerspace centered on developing high levels of self-efficacy around making in youth served by the space. Assemble runs a number of different after-school programs at its main location and at various schools around Pittsburgh as well. Staff in the space consists of contract teachers and high-school interns all trained to help build learning communities by connecting students. Youth in the space are encouraged to help teach each other through specific learning activities embedded in the course offerings. The space is well known for their building of the Burrito Cat robot, a project completed by female students. Assemble relies on a cadre of contract teaching artists to provide programming. Since these teachers have a great deal of autonomy, it presents a unique set of challenges especially providing a consistent learning experience for the students. This chapter explores Assemble.