Since posting the call for contributions in August, 2013, I was contacted by many enthusiastic and inspiring individuals who were interested in sharing their experience with budding roboticists.
Starting on September 23rd 2013, Robohub’s focus on robotics education featured original articles and tutorials from educators, students, hobbyists and expert roboticists, with the goal of putting a spotlight on robotics education, and to inspiring budding roboticists of all ages to take the next step in their robotics education.
Self-made roboticists
Educational robots
The following excerpt from Claude Baumann’s article on “Getting started in robotics, an educational concern” sets the scene for the focus series:
For many individuals, somewhere in between childhood and reaching adulthood, the interest for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disappears. Although school certainly must assume a significant responsibility for this cancelation, peer-group influences among young people seem to play an even more important role in this undesirable shifting of personal interests. However, by taking advantage of the same psycho-social moments related to adolescence, well-organized LEGO Mindstorms robotics projects, developed in small youth teams may reinforce the penchant for science and engineering, and subsequently arouse vocations for professions in research and technology. Far more than technical concerns, the thorough choice of a valuable methodology decides over success or failure of such projects.
– Claude Baumann, “Getting started in robotics, an educational concern”
Also don’t miss the Robotics By Invitation questions on “What is the best way to get a robotics education today?” and “What do you look for when hiring?”, which were asked in anticipation of Robohub’s focus series on robotics education.