Robotics Outreach Project (ROP)

Background:

The UCI Outreach Robotics Project is a new outreach project that provide students an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the engineering design process (identifying a need, fabrication/manufacturing, testing/validation, etc.). The focus of this project is to design and build a robotics kit that introduces and is inclusive to students typically underrepresented in STEM to engineering. Unlike other robotic projects, members will design educational materials, based on Engineering-Education research, to aid the audience in achieving the various learning objectives. Students will apply various aspects of past engineering coursework and research when designing, while also validating the design via various engineering software (e.g. SolidWorks, MultiSim, etc.). 

Goal:

Design and construct a robotics kit that incorporates many introductory level features and an evidence-based curriculum that a middle/high schooler can safely construct with assistance.

Focus will be placed on the following criteria:

1) Project will be designed such that the safety of the participants is prioritized
2) Project will be designed to be compatible with a curriculum based on Engineering-Education research.
3) Project will be designed to increase exposure of engineering to historically underrepresented groups in the field 
4) Project will be designed to be as cost effective as possible, to facilitate funding for such outreach programs and project developments/add-ons.

Once the project is completed, students will be encouraged to collaborate established STEM outreach programs on campus.

Team Contact: Francisco Mayorga (fmayorga@uci.edu)

Advisors: Dr. Faryar Jabbari, Dr. Edgar De Jesus Ramos Munoz (eramosmu@uci.edu)