Robotics as a Vehicle for Engineering Education

An important factor in an engineering education is the students' ability to apply their theoretical knowledge to solving real world problems.Unfortunately, many schools are unable to provide full laboratories for experimental experiences due to a variety of constraints.This is a serious problem for educators who wish to provide practical learning for their students.One of the more commonly employed methods of providing a "hands-on" approach to learning is through the use of educational kits.As technology changes and advances, it is important to keep adapting the educational topics in engineering majors to contemporary subjects such as robotics.This paper discusses the development and use of robotic kits for the classroom environment.Different platforms presently exist which provide systems for educators to use as a teaching vehicle for their lessons.In addition to currently available kits, designing or adapting kits for use in specific courses provides engineering educators a customized tool for the classroom and an opportunity for their students to help instruct their peers.Using robotics kits in the classroom encompasses the full spectrum of fields including the project design process, mechanics, electronics, and computer programming.This allows students to gain exposure to their field of interest while acquiring a basic knowledge and respect for other disciplines.