Masters Theses

Abstract

"The field of educational robotics (ER) seeks to use the building and programming of robots to engage and educate the next generation of college freshman entering science and engineering majors. To increase the rate of application to science and engineering degree programs as well as the rate of retention, students must be engaged in high school. They must acquire the knowledge and interest to pursue these career choices. This research explores the use of robotics to interest high school students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and to improve their knowledge of these subjects. The case study developed instructional strategies to guide the learning process, increase students' understanding of concepts and their practical application, and consequently increase their interest in STEM college majors and career paths. The instructional strategies explored in this research required students to study a given set of concepts, restate the newly acquired knowledge, apply it in a practical hands-on activity, and review the significant points made by the instructor. This research used the Lego Mindstorms NXT robotic platform to permit practical application of the training process to the Botball robotics competition. Students involved in this case study demonstrated improvement in application of science and mathematics principles to robotics and won the regional Botball competition after completing the training"--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Wunsch, Donald C.

Committee Member(s)

Nisbett, J. Keith
Sarangapani, Jagannathan, 1965-

Department(s)

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Degree Name

M.S. in Electrical Engineering

Sponsor(s)

Mary K. Finley Missouri Endowment
Missouri University of Science and Technology. Intelligent Systems Center
National Science Foundation (U.S.)

Research Center/Lab(s)

Intelligent Systems Center

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Summer 2011

Pagination

ix, 121 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references.

Rights

© 2011 Mathew A. Stratumann, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Constructivism (Education)
Engineering -- Study and teaching (Secondary)
Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary)
Mobile robots -- Case studies
Robotics -- Study and teaching (Higher)
Robotics
Science -- Study and teaching (Secondary)
Technology -- Study and teaching (Secondary)

Thesis Number

T 9867

Print OCLC #

785236966

Electronic OCLC #

741677446

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