Andy Zhang, Iem Heng, Farrukh Zia, and Sidi Berri. NYC College of Technology/CUNY 300 Jay Street Brooklyn, NY ASQ STEM Agenda Conference

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1 Using Hands-on Robotic Projects to Engage and Strengthen High School Students Participation in STEM Education Andy Zhang, Iem Heng, Farrukh Zia, and Sidi Berri NYC College of Technology/CUNY 300 Jay Street Brooklyn, NY ASQ STEM Agenda Conference July 16 17, 2012 Menomonie, WI University of Wisconsin-Stout

2 Introduction STEM education is the key in producing qualified individuals to work in today s fast paced, highly competitive public and private enterprises. Unfortunately, the supply of qualified workforce has been declining for the past twenty years due to the steady drop of wellprepared college students majoring in STEM related fields.

3 National Science Board Suggestion All students need to develop their capabilities in STEM to levels much beyond what was considered acceptable in the past with an increased emphasis on technology and engineering at all levels in the Nation s education system.

4 National Science Board Further Suggested Measures be taken in Following Two Areas: 1. Ensure Coherence in Nation s STEM Education System; 2. Ensure that Students Are Taught by Well- Prepared and Highly Effective STEM Teachers.

5 How to Get Students Interested in STEM Education? STEM education should be treated as an integral education. The reason that mathematics, science, technology and engineering are taught in classes is we hope that students can use these subjects concurrently to make new discoveries, to explore new ideas, to make new products and to provide better services. As such, more hands-on project-based activities, that enable students to apply the knowledge and skills they learn from STEM courses should be implemented into curriculums.

6 Why hands-on Approach? Study indicates that students learn well in teams, in project based activities, and in collaborative environments. The hands-on project based activities will also strengthen students skills in critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity/innovation. These skills have been identified by top U.S. companies as priorities for employee development, talent management and succession planning.

7 To Maximize Participation, Trainings Were Offered : 1) On weekends in conjunction with our FIRST partners, 2) In afterschool programs, 3) In summer programs.

8 UTILIZING THE STATE OF THE ART HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE LabVIEW, C/C++, Java, and Matlab are being used. CAD and CAM packages such as Autodesk Inventor, Solidworks, Creo/Elements Pro, and MasterCAM are being used. Students also have access to a machine shop which include CNC milling center, a water jet, and rapid prototyping machines.

9 IMPLEMENTING CONCURRENT ENGINEERING PRACTICE To Help Students to Realize the Importance of the Following: 1. Multidisciplinary Fields. 2. Teamwork and Collaboration. 3. Formation of Design Team: Practicing the Selection of Team Leaders and Team Members. 4. Cooperate and Collaborate Throughout the Whole Length of the Project. 5. Inject New Skills. 6. Acquire Broader Knowledge Beyond Their Specialized Field.

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11 Weekend FTC Scrimmage

12 Helping High School Students to Build Large FRC Robots

13 Get Involved with New York State s STEP (Science and Technology Entry Program) Project

14 TYING TO THE TEACHING OF 21 ST CENTURY SKILLS Learning and Innovation Skills, which include creativity and innovation, critical thinking and problem solving, and communication and collaboration; Information, Media, and Technology Skills, which include information literacy, media literacy, and information and communications technology literacy; Life and Career Skills, which include flexibility and adaptability, initiative and self-direction, social and cross-cultural skills, productivity and accountability, and leadership and responsibility

15 Chemical Detection Robot Project (CDR) Computer Model of CDR Electrical Design of CDR Physical Prototype of CDR Computer Model of Control Unit Physical Model of Control Unit

16 AIRCASTING HAND-HELD CHEMICAL DETECTION DEVICE Mechanical Design Electrical Design Testing Using Smart Phone Communication Design Sensor Calibrations

17 Making The Connections The outreach robotic training program helped answer many questions that parents and students often ask at colleges and universities open houses: What is mechanical engineering? What is electrical engineering? What is computer engineering? Etc. If students were not exposed to any engineering activities, of course they would not be able to tell the difference among various engineering fields.

18 The hands-on robotic project put students on a discovery path. It can spark and nurture students interests. It provides opportunities for students to mess around the robotic technology and find something useful and engaging.

19 Conclusions The hands-on design project allows student to see the big pictures. It help student to make connections among the various engineering and technology fields and give them a new perspective. It help students to realize the multidisciplinary nature of product design and appreciate the importance of teamwork, time management, and how to work with others in a team. They learned leadership skills as well.

20 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The work is partially funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation Advanced Technology Education Division. The award number is NSF ATE No The authors appreciate greatly the support from the NSF. Also, the authors would like to thank all of the students who are involved with MTC.

21 Thank you! Any Questions?