The Fourth "R":
Robotics Inspires Children to Learn About Engineering and Technology

An all girls team from Kingsley is completely engrossed in their SumoBot competition. Photo by Tom Zasadzinski

Collegewood students celebrating victory Photo by Tom Zasadzinski

Dr. Mariappan "Jawa" Jawaharlal (Department of Mechanical Engineering), Dr. Cesar Larriva (Department of Education) and Dr. Jill Nemiro (Department of Psychology and Sociology) collaborated across disciplines on the School Robotics Initiative(EGR 200) to provide an authentic learning experience to elementary school students using Cal Poly Pomona engineering students as mentors and coaches.

Training Student Mentors Role Play: The biggest fear for many college students is the prospect of standing up in front of a classroom full of young children. This fear can be eliminated or at least minimized by adequate preparation, which includes role-play Understanding Personalities: Mentors are exposed to a personality test instrument that helps them to identify which of the 16 potential personality types they belong to and also helps them to understand the personality types of their mentees. Understanding Learning Styles: Mentors are introduced to Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences. Instructional Strategies: Mentors are made aware of various instructional strategies adopted by teachers as well as the one that the school robotics initiative emphasizes, experiential learning. Working with Children: Mentors are presented with the strengths, weaknesses and needs of the children with whom they will be working, including specific examples from the past. More information on the project and methods used can be found on the instructor's website: http://www.csupomona.edu/~jmariappan/EGR200/EGR200.htm

In partnership with the Pomona Unified and Walnut Valley School Districts, EGR 200 is a general engineering course focused on developing an engaging robotics curriculum for elementary, middle and high school students. Robotics, increasingly considered the fourth essential R (after the 3 Rs, Reading, wRiting and aRithmetic), is a truly multi-disciplinary field which combines mechanical, electrical, electronics, and control engineering as well as computer science.

Students behind in math and lacking interest in science at the elementary and middle school levels perform poorly in high school and are unlikely to choose a career in engineering and science. Even if they do choose engineering in college, their lack of high school preparation puts them in remedial programs, thus placing them several years behind.

The objective of the School Robotics Initiative is to reach the students early on and inspire them through engagement in hands-on activities. As part of this course, engineering students (accompanied by professors) visit participating elementary schools every Tuesday for two hours over the course of two quarters. Cal Poly Engineering students serve as mentors for elementary school students and help them build and program their robots. The program culminates in an annual Robotics competition at Cal Poly. Last year approximately 70 fourth and fifth graders from two elementary schools took part.