1. 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, 70409-3102 Gregory Burnham Estacado High School, Lubbock ISD

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

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

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

5. Get Excited About Robotics (GEAR)

6. 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)

10. Engineering Student Involvement

11. 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

12. 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

13. ENGR 1315 Students at GEAR Trial Run

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

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

16. 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

17. 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

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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

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

24. Influence on Retention of Engineering Students

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

26. 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

27. 2013 FIRST Robotics Season

28. 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

29.  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

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31.  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

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

33. 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

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