At Hunter College High School in Manhattan, the rite of passage comes in 10th grade. Students choose a day to take home one of 12 RealCare Baby 3 robots after school, then return it the next morning.

The robots record whether the students provided a bottle or fresh diaper, hit or shook the baby, neglected it or failed to support its head. The school grades gently, in order not to permanently scare students from parenthood.

Forrest Bicker, whose baby interfered with his debate preparation, said the assignment made the child-caring experience much more real. “Now you know what it’s like when it’s 2 a.m. and they’re crying.”