Gauging student interests and comfort with robotics terms after participating in a soft robotics activity

Fu, Tianshi

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/109523 Copy

Description

Title

Gauging student interests and comfort with robotics terms after participating in a soft robotics activity

Author(s)

Fu, Tianshi

Issue Date

2020-12-04

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

• Goldstein, Molly H
• Krishnan, Girish

Department of Study

Industrial&Enterprise Sys Eng

Discipline

Systems & Entrepreneurial Engr

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• Robotics
• Soft Robotics
• K-12
• Pilot Study
• Soft Robotics Toolkit
• Robotics Terms
• Interest
• Comfort

Abstract

Robotics has been successfully used in a wide array of educational applications, from K-12 classrooms in the pre-engineering setting to university laboratories teaching advanced applications. However, studies revealed that the participants in robotics education are predominantly male. It is indicated that women are more inclined to participate in engineering activities including robotics, if there are identifiable human-centric benefits or applications. Soft robotics is a specific field of robotics where low modulus or high compliance materials are used to construct the robots. Due to its special material properties, soft robotics have been used in broad human-centered applications and have the potential to attract a diverse audience. In this study, we examined the effectiveness of using soft robotics as an introductory tool into the field of robotics, a role usually filled by its traditionally rigid counterpart. During the spring semester of 2020, we conducted a pilot study with a group of students from the University Laboratory High School to compare students’ comfort level with basic robotics terms before and after experiencing a soft robotics activity. The research team prepared kits containing necessary components to build several types of soft robots and the participants were able to complete the building activities within three class periods. Using pre- and post-activity surveys, both quantitative and qualitative data were collected. Data analysis shows that student participants displayed a noticeable change in comfort on the robotics terms suggesting soft robotics is an adequate alternative to rigid robotics as an introductory tool for robotics.

Graduation Semester

2020-12

Type of Resource

Thesis

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/109523

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2020 Tianshi Fu

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