RAOP
Program Structure
RAOP is a three-week summer research experience that combines two weeks of guided, inquiry-based virtual labs (QLabs Digital Twins) with one week of on-site experimentation in Howard University’s Autonomous Vehicle, Robotics & Control (AVRC) Laboratory. Each cycle begins on the first Monday after July 4. The cohort award letter confirms the final schedule, synchronous sessions, and required deliverables.
Time Commitment
RAOP is designed for working educators. The schedule includes a mix of synchronous sessions and asynchronous lab work. Exact meeting times are finalized in the cohort award letter.
- Typical commitment: ~2–3 hours/day, combining asynchronous lab work and scheduled check-ins.
- Synchronous components typically include guided walkthroughs, Q&A, and progress reviews.
- Asynchronous components include completing assigned lab checkpoints and drafting classroom materials.
- Typical commitment: full-day sessions, aligned to lab access, safety procedures, and hardware validation workflows.
- Daily activities include instructor-led demonstrations, structured experimentation, and refinement of deliverables.
- The week concludes with a finalized classroom-ready implementation package.
Time ranges reflect differences in platform strand selection, participant starting points, and cohort pacing. The cohort award letter provides the final schedule (dates and meeting times) and is the source of record.
Planned Cycle Dates
Date ranges below reflect the standard three-week structure (Mon–Fri). If a cohort schedule changes due to logistics, the cohort award letter is the source of record.
In some years, dates may shift slightly due to university calendar constraints, lab availability, or coordination with partner support and facilities. If adjustments are required, participants are notified as early as possible and the final schedule is communicated in the cohort award letter.
| Cycle (Year) | Week 1 (Virtual) | Week 2 (Virtual) | Week 3 (On-site) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Jul 6, 2026 – Jul 10, 2026 | Jul 13, 2026 – Jul 17, 2026 | Jul 20, 2026 – Jul 24, 2026 |
| 2027 | Jul 5, 2027 – Jul 9, 2027 | Jul 12, 2027 – Jul 16, 2027 | Jul 19, 2027 – Jul 23, 2027 |
| 2028 | Jul 10, 2028 – Jul 14, 2028 | Jul 17, 2028 – Jul 21, 2028 | Jul 24, 2028 – Jul 28, 2028 |
| 2029 | Jul 9, 2029 – Jul 13, 2029 | Jul 16, 2029 – Jul 20, 2029 | Jul 23, 2029 – Jul 27, 2029 |
| 2030 | Jul 8, 2030 – Jul 12, 2030 | Jul 15, 2030 – Jul 19, 2030 | Jul 22, 2030 – Jul 26, 2030 |
At-a-Glance Timeline
A quick visual summary of the three-week flow. Detailed activities and outputs are provided below.
- Completed setup checks and access verification
- Completed assigned lab checkpoints with short interpretations
- Initial classroom activity outline aligned to one selected RAOP module
- Draft lesson plan package (objectives, student tasks, pacing)
- Draft assessment artifacts (formative checks + rubric outline)
- Implementation notes tied to classroom feasibility and constraints
- Validated selected workflows on hardware and documented discrepancies
- Final classroom-ready implementation package (lesson + materials + rubric)
- Adoption notes suitable for high-need LEA contexts
Three-Week Timeline
The weekly sequence below describes the standard RAOP structure and expected outputs.
| Week | Modality | Primary activities | Key outputs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Virtual (QLabs) | Orientation, platform setup, guided inquiry lab modules, daily progress checks, and structured reflection. | Completed virtual lab checkpoints; initial classroom activity outline aligned to a selected RAOP module. |
| Week 2 | Virtual (QLabs) | Advanced inquiry labs, data interpretation workflows, lesson plan development, and assessment planning aligned to learning objectives. | Draft lesson plan package; draft formative checks and summative rubric; implementation notes. |
| Week 3 | On-site (AVRC Lab) | Hands-on experiments to validate virtual work, troubleshooting and interpretation support, instructor-led demonstrations, and final deliverable refinement. | Final classroom-ready lesson plan package; selected lab artifacts and documentation supporting classroom adoption. |
Participant Expectations
- Complete assigned virtual labs and submit required checkpoints on time.
- Maintain brief reflections and document key observations and interpretations.
- Engage in scheduled synchronous sessions and mentoring discussions.
- Develop a classroom-ready lesson plan aligned with a selected RAOP activity.
- Participate fully in the on-site week, including safety and lab procedures.
Technology & Access
- Reliable internet access during the virtual phase.
- A laptop/desktop capable of running required software (details provided during onboarding).
- Participants are encouraged to maintain offline access to materials where permitted.
- On-site access to AVRC Lab platforms and instrumentation during Week 3.
Follow RAOP
Updates, announcements, and participant highlights.
Official RAOP social channels. Additional platforms will be added as they launch.