K-12 Robotics - Opportunities for Collaboration with Engineering Colleges Dr. Tanja Karp, Courtney Pinnell, Dr. Richard Gale, Kenyan Burnham Electrical and Computer Engineering Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, Gregory Burnham Estacado High School, Lubbock ISD

Overview  Introduction  K-12 Robotics Programs offered by TTU  Service Learning in a First Year Engineering Course  BEST/FIRST Robotics TTU Perspective Estacado High School Perspective  Conclusions

Robotics Why Robotics?  Critical thinking skills  Problem solving skills  Hands-on skills  Math and science  Engineering process  Programming  Teamwork  Leadership  Time management  Excitement!!!

Pipeline of K-12 Robotics Competitions GEAR 1 st -8 th grade BEST 7 th – 12 th grade FRC 9 th -12 th grade

Get Excited About Robotics (GEAR)

GEAR Events  New Teacher Training Workshop (January)  Advanced Teacher Training Workshop, live video streaming to remote locations (February/March)  Kickoff Event: (February)  GEAR Trial Run (March)  GEAR Game Day(April)

Engineering Student Involvement

ENGR 1315–S : Introduction to Engineering  Freshman level engineering course open to all engineering majors.  Course is mainly taken by engineering and pre-engineering freshmen during their first year at TTU.  It provides an "introduction to the engineering profession, including the distinction between different majors, engineering problem solving, professionalism and ethics, and experiences in team design projects.“  Course fulfills "Core Technology and Applied Science" requirement in TX

Course Format Service Learning Project:  Mentoring school teams (total of 15 hours) and documentation thereof in journal.  Reflection papers: Evaluation of their school teams' design process for one of the GEAR competition tasks. Documentation of a GEAR event Evaluation of their role as a mentor Revisiting a list of important engineering skills from the beginning of the semester

ENGR 1315 Students at GEAR Trial Run

Pipeline of K-12 Robotics Competitions GEAR 1 st -8 th grade BEST 7 th – 12 th grade FRC 9 th -12 th grade

Into The Pipe Student View College Role Models College Students Teach You:  Time management  Responsibility  Documentation  Industrial Safety

And Out The Other Side STEM Robotics Programs Give You  An In To College Recruiters and Faculty at Universities  Job Opportunities Sponsors and Volunteers Returning To Be A Mentor  Giving Back  Teaching

What’s Next? Staying Engaged Mentor View Being able to Relate over Authority  Peer to peer  Inspiring Teaching Life Experiences  Class Advice  Tutoring Friendship  Projects  Research

BEST Robotics Middle School and High School (6-12)

As a result of participating in BEST, students…  Understand the practical use of math concepts and applied physics  Solve real-world science and engineering problems  Gain an increased interest in engineering, math, and science  Understand what engineers do — the engineering profession is “demystified”  Experience “design-to-market” product development  Receive recognition and acclaim typically reserved for their peers in sports  BEST is a grass-roots organization

As a result of participating in BEST, Estacado High School and students…  Have access to applications for math and physics  Get the opportunity to compete in hands-on problem solving  Introduced to engineering  Allows them to work with college mentors

As a result of participating in BEST, Estacado High School and students…  Get to experience real-world expectations and results  BEST allows Estacado to showcase other programs and individuals

Founded in 2005www.team1817.orgwww.team1817.org First competition year in 2006 Funded by NASA grant for first 3 years Boeing, X-FAB, and Texas Tech are current primary sponsors First robot was steel, machined primarily with hand tools Current robots are primarily aluminum, CNC’d

Before and After….Transformational Properties of Mentor-Driven Robotics

Influence on Retention of Engineering Students

2012 Success Woodie Flowers Finalist: Travis Ray Dean’s List Finalist: Kenyan Burnham Excellence in Engineering Industrial Safety Award The Chairman’s Award 25

2013 Successes Started Hub City Regional  Started 14 New FRC Teams  Technical and Non-Technical Resources Competition Awards  Judges Award  Industrial Safety Award  Dean’s List Finalist Award: Hiro Goodson College Entrance Success Rate 26

2013 FIRST Robotics Season

2013 Natural Consequences Started Hub City Regional 14 new teams  What happened to my students?  Who’s been fundraising amongst my sponsors? Solution – aggressive recruiting of schools not participating and highlighting our efforts Results – our largest team so far, new funding sources Undergraduate involvement in the next level of organization Recruiting opportunities for the college of engineering 28

 Advanced problem solving FRC has very challenging problems National Promotional materials and kickoff inspire students  Mentorship Working with professionals Technical and non-technical roles  Role models and leadership development 29

30

 Ability to compete and represent Estacado High School, Lubbock ISD and Lubbock on a State and National Level FRC Competitions allow banners and promotional items FIRST has a proven success rate for Estacado High School and Lubbock ISD 31

Peer and Near-peer mentoring College mentor-student relationship Mentor  Learning by teaching  Learning by taking responsibilities  Leadership 32

Engagement beyond competitions School demos and field trips Other community organizations: 4H, Boys and Girls Clubs Undergraduate Mentors help established FIRST, BEST and LEGO Robotics teams; recruit new teams Mentors participate in as many COE events as possible  Catch the Engineering Bug  Admitted Students Day  Prospective Student Tours  Middle school group presentations Summer camps at schools and TTU First Friday Art Trail showcases

34