SPIRIT 2.0: Silicon Prairie Initiative for Robotics in Information Technology 2.0

University Of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln NE

Investigators

Abstract

Building on previous ITEST funding, the PI is designing and developing a set of curriculum materials centering on a revised version of the NSF funded TekBot robotics platform developed by Oregon State University. Having added to the TekBot, a new robot, called NUBot is being developed by the Technology Development Corporation of the Peter Keitit Institute of the University of Nebraska. These robots are substantially less expensive, than most major commercial kits and use off the shelf parts from local electronics suppliers. The leadership team creates materials for grades 5-8 that address and assess STEM concepts through a robotics curriculum. The curriculum addresses STEM standards through such documents as the NCTM Focal Points and the Atlas of Science Literacy. There are three problem based ways in which students can use the TekBot: building, moving, and programming. The intent is to scale up to a cyber-infrastructure that supports the national distribution and implementation of the curriculum. The cyber-infrastructure provides for summer workshops, distance education, a means of permitting teachers to identify lesson plans based upon their educational objectives, and an internet on call technician as means of teacher professional development.