In recent years there has been a significant increase in the variety and complexity of Articulated-Multi-Body-Systems (AMBS) used for various applications. There is also increased interest in the model-based design-refinement and controller-development, which is critically dependent upon availability of underlying plantmodels.
Archives for December 2022
A Practical Approach to High School Robotics
We have developed an intensive, three-week summer robotics program for high school students. The program requires special teaching methods since it is offered to rising 10th through 12th grade students with diverse backgrounds, and a low student/teacher ratio to ensure all students grasp the material. We use a projectbased learning approach, assigning labs, projects, and competitions specially designed to prepare students for the main element of the program, the design of a semi-autonomous robotic vehicle. The project culminates with testing of their vehicles on an obstacle course. In this paper, we report on the special teaching methods required for the course, reflect on changes that have positively and negatively affected the success of the program, and discuss results of a recent survey of former students.