CURRICULUM
IDEAS Curricula & Presentation Decks
The two IDEAS curricula (Grades 6–8 and Grades 1–5), associated slide decks, and the Summer Program were developed by a team from EDC, NYU, NY Hall of Science, and educators and students in NYC autism inclusion schools. Both programs involve skill-building activities—where students learn how to make objects with various materials—and final projects, where students apply those skills to create something based on their personal interests. Educators are encouraged to adapt these materials to fit their own contexts and their students’ needs and strengths.
Summer Program Guide
This guide supports implementing the World-Building Curriculum over four weeks, during which facilitators have all or most of the day to run program activities. The program includes maker activities, suggestions for home connections, and ideas for “spirit days.”
IDEAS Curriculum (Grades 6-12)
This curriculum, the first one developed for the IDEAS program, helps students understand how to design 3D objects, using materials such as motors and LEDs and tools such as glue guns, free computer-aided design software, and 3D printers. It was based on a maker program from NY Hall of Science called 3D Design and Fabrication. This curriculum is more appropriate for middle school.
IDEAS Presentation (Grades 6-12)
This presentation was created to help teachers run IDEAS Curriculum (Grades 6-8) and is based on slide decks developed by educators who piloted the program.
When you click the Google Slides deck link, click “Make a Copy” on the page that appears to create a personal copy. We encourage you to edit and adapt the slide deck to meet your needs.
IDEAS World-Building Curriculum (Grades K-8)
Starting with the core belief that making provides profound learning and engagement opportunities for neurodivergent youth, this inclusive curriculum guides all makers through a range of skill-building experiences that result in each learner creating a detailed world–either imaginary or real–rooted in deep personal interests.
IDEAS World-Building Presentation (Grades K-8)
This presentation was created to help teachers facilitate IDEAS World-Building Curriculum (Grades 1-5). The deck mirrors the sequence of activities in the Curriculum Guide and includes presenter notes with the same activity breakdowns and guiding questions you’ll find there.
When you click the Google Slides deck link, click “Make a Copy” on the page that appears to create a personal copy. We encourage you to edit and adapt the slide deck to meet your needs.
