Creating Bright Minds and Bright Futures
ABOUT US
Regina Herbert, PhD
BEN co-founder Regina Herbert has a PhD in Molecular Biology from Northwestern University and a diverse research background in the biomedical sciences. She has studied and researched in the areas of cancer biology, virology, and bacteriology at a variety of institutions including Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Rutgers University Medical School Center for Emerging Pathogens. In addition to her research experience, Dr. Herbert has over twenty years of teaching experience at the university level. Due to having three young children under the age of 8, Dr. Herbert saw the need for STEAM based programs for children within Pre-K through 6th grade.
Nicole L. Warren, MSW, MEd
After earning her M.Ed. in Elementary Education at Rutgers University, BEN co-founder Nicole Warren, spent the next seven years teaching Curriculum Development. Intrigued by the impact disturbances in a child’s social and emotional development could have on their learning, she returned to school to earn a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from Columbia University. She currently works for a youth development organization that focuses on empowering girls to be leaders in their communities.
Ricardo R. Herbert, MUP, MBA
Ricardo is an Electrical Engineer with almost twenty years’ experience working for top ten engineering consulting firms on capital intensive projects. In addition to his Engineer experience, he worked briefly as a transportation planner for a state DOT (Department of Transportation) following the completion of his Master of Urban Planning and Policy (MUPP) degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Seeing the need to diversify beyond his Engineering and Planning background, Mr. Herbert returned to school in 2012 and earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree two years later from Rutgers University. Like his wife Regina and her life-long friend and business partner Nicole, Ricardo shares a love for children and is passionate about their education and their future.
BRIGHT ENDEAVORS NOW MISSION
At BEN we create and celebrate moments of discovery, creativity, inspiration and learning, through interactive Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) explorations.
Budding engineers, designers and doctors are introduced to concepts in the sciences, technology, engineering, art and math, through engaging, developmentally-appropriate activities. We know children learn best by doing, so our curriculum and teaching methods incorporate hands-on learning that encourage independent thinking. Our classes are safe spaces where children can explore and make the mistakes that create the deepest learning. Even the littlest scientist can begin learning science vocabulary and developing inquiry practices and habits of mind, like questioning, gathering data and creating.
BEN programming correlates with New Jersey Board of Education Student Learning Standards, including the NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE (NGSS) and COMMON CORE STANDARDS . In every class we also integrate the 4C’s of the Framework for 21st Century Learning: Critical Thinking, Communication, Collaboration, and Creativity. We’re dedicated to building the foundations that prepare children for bright futures in the 21st Century and beyond.
OUR PROGRAMS
The educational programs at BRIGHT ENDEAVORS NOW were created with our children’s needs in mind: to mature and develop in a safe yet stimulating environment. Take a look below to learn more about each program.
CODING WORKSHOP
Ages 4 - 12
Students will sharpen their abilities to determine cause and effect relationships, construct explanations and design solutions. The BEN Coding Workshop provides screen-free, foundational skills needed to make the best of our Robotics & Engineering classes, where children will apply their learning and creativity to programming.
NGSS Connections
Engineering Design
ETS1.B: Developing Possible Solutions
COMMON CORE Connections
Technology
8.1 Educational Technology
8.2 Technology Education, Engineering, Design, and Computational Thinking - Programming
English/Language Arts
SL.K.3 - Ask and answer questions to seek help, information, or clarity
W.K.7 - Participate in shared research and writing projects
Mathematics
K.MD.A.1 - Describe measurable attributes of objects
K.MD.A.2 - Directly compare two objects with a measurable attribute in common
MP.2 - Reason abstractly and quantitatively
BEN STUDIO DESIGN
Ages 4 - 12
To be successful in the 21st century and beyond, students need to develop skills that help them think critically to be innovative solution-finders. Experiences using the creative and design processes develops these skills. B.E.N Design Studio classes are created so children can work on projects that encourage them to investigate, make, learn, and share. Students will explore principles of art with aspects of engineering as they design, build, customize and test working models. B.E.N. Design Studio classes provide unique opportunities for integrated lessons that let children to express their creativity while exploring the laws of physics and relationships between energy and forces.
NGSS Connections
Physics
PS1.A: Structures and Properties of Matter
PS2.A: Forces and Motion
PS2.B: Types of Interactions
PS3.C: Relationship Between Energy and Forces
Engineering
ETS1.A: Defining and Delimiting Engineering Problems
ETS1.B: Developing Possible Solutions
ETS1.C: Optimizing the Design Solution
COMMON CORE Connections
Visual & Performing Arts
1.1 The Creative Process
1.3 Performing/Presenting Art
English/Language Arts
SL.K.3 - Ask and answer questions to seek help, information, or clarity
W.K.7 - Participate in shared research and writing projects
Math
K.MD.A.1 - Describe measurable attributes of objects
K.MD.A.2 - Directly compare two objects with a measurable attribute in common
MP.2 - Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
MP.5 - Use appropriate tools strategically.
ROBOTICS AND ENGINEERING
Ages 4 - 12
Our Robotics & Engineering classes introduce students to the fundamentals of engineering and give them a deeper understanding of technology, programming, electronics and mechanical systems. Skills in teamwork, computational thinking and problem solving are developed in a fun way as students work together to apply physics and engineering concepts to design and build working models with LEGO® STEAM Park and SNAP Circuits Jr., and LEGO® Early Simple Machines. They’ll bring objects to life using introductory robotics, coding and programming principles. Children will imagine new robotic creations and make them a reality using LEGO® WeDO 2.0. Using basic programming skills, children “teach” a robot how to play games, build, tell stories and more. Students develop independence as they analyze and interpret data to plan and carryout out their own investigation.
NGSS Connections
Physics
PS1.A: Structures and Properties of Matter
PS2.A: Forces and Motion
PS2.B: Types of Interactions
PS3.C: Relationship Between Energy and Forces
Engineering
ETS1.A: Defining and Delimiting Engineering Problems
ETS1.B: Developing Possible Solutions
ETS1.C: Optimizing the Design Solution
COMMON CORE Connections
Technology
8.1 Educational Technology
8.2 Technology Education, Engineering, Design, and Computational Thinking - Programming
English/Language Arts
SL.K.3 - Ask and answer questions to seek help, information, or clarity
W.K.7 - Participate in shared research and writing projects
Mathematics
K.MD.A.1 - Describe measurable attributes of objects
K.MD.A.2 - Directly compare two objects with a measurable attribute in common
MP.2 - Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
MP.5 - Use appropriate tools strategically
LIFE AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES
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Ages 4 - 12
It’s never too early for children to be exposed to concepts related to health and medicine that could lead them on the path to becoming a healthcare professional. Through experiments, hands-on activities and interactive demonstrations, children learn about topics in Anatomy and Physiology, Cell Biology, Microbiology and Chemistry.
NGSS Connections
LS1.B: Growth and Development of Organisms
LS1.C: Organization of Matter and Energy Flow in Organisms
LS1.D: Information Processing
PS3.D: Energy in Chemical Processes and Everyday Life
COMMON CORE Connections
English/Language Arts
SL.K.3 - Ask and answer questions to seek help, information, or clarity
W.K.7 - Participate in shared research and writing projects
Math
K.MD.A.1 - Describe measurable attributes of objects
K.MD.A.2 - Directly compare two objects with a measurable attribute in common
MP.2 - Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
MP.5 - Use appropriate tools strategically.
Coming Soon
New Location:
Mikocheni Plaza,
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
CONTACT US
BEN welcomes children ages 4-12 to join us for after-school, weekend and summer enrichment classes. We’ll also come to your school, day care center or church to lead workshops tailored to your interests. Register today to let your child’s light shine. Please feel free to get in touch, and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.