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Project Descriptions

WaterBotics: Build IT Underwater Robotics Scale Up for STEM Learning and Workforce Development (BISU)

September 1, 2009 - August 31, 2015 | Public Programs, Informal/Formal Connections
WaterBotics is the underwater robotics curriculum and program that is being disseminated to four regions through a National Science Foundation grant, in collaboration with national and state partners. Its goal is to provide hands-on experiences for middle and high school age youth to engineering design, information technology tools, and science concepts, and to increase awareness and interest in engineering and IT careers. The curriculum, which can be used either in traditional classroom settings or in after-school and summer-camp situations, is problem-based, requiring teams of students to work together to design, build, test, and redesign underwater robots, or “bots” made of LEGO® and other components. Students use the NXT and LEGO Mindstorms® software to program their robots to maneuver in the water, thereby gaining valuable experience with computer programming. Teams must complete a series of increasingly sophisticated challenges which culminates with a final challenge that integrates learning from the prior challenges.

Funders

NSF
Funding Program: ITEST
Award Number: 0929674
Funding Amount: 2499998

TEAM MEMBERS

  • Stevens Institute of Technology
    Contributor
  • Mercedes McKay
    Co-Principal Investigator
    Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education
  • Patricia Holahan
    Principal Investigator
    Stevens Institute of Technology
  • Discipline: Engineering
    Audience: Middle School Children (11-13) | Youth/Teen (up to 17) | Educators/Teachers | Museum/ISE Professionals
    Environment Type: Public Programs | Afterschool Programs | Summer and Extended Camps | Informal/Formal Connections | K-12 Programs

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