Cobot Robotics for Kids Project
Studies indicate that by the conclusion of eighth grade, students have decided whether to pursue a traditional high school education or incorporate technical training into their high school curriculum, highlighting the importance of robotics for kids, which exposes them to a field they may not have otherwise considered. This project exposes students to the advantages of technical training by offering after-school and summer programs for middle school and high school students. By creating opportunities for students to explore real-world applications of STEM conceptions, this program will combat prior negative interactions (i.e. poor grades, difficulty grasping concepts, etc.) students may have encountered with STEM in school. This project highlights the importance of real-world exposure to STEM’s applications in a manufacturing environment, with hands-on robotics for kids working as a point of catalysis.
Objective of Cobot Robotics for Kids
This project created an environment for K-12 students to explore real-world STEM applications.
This project developed motivated and skilled future employees for advanced manufacturing employers by 1) Enrolling an “upstream” cohort of middle and high school students in robotics summer and after-school hands-on programs, and 2) Giving an “immediate” cohort of two- and four-year college students invaluable soft and hard skills by serving as instructors for the upstream cohort.
Participants in Cobot Robotics for Kids
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Principal Investigator), Quinsigamond Community College, MassMEP, MassRobotics, Worcester Chamber of Commerce