University, Community College and Industry Partnership: Revamping Robotics Education to Meet 21st Century Workforce Needs

这项由密歇根理工大学与海湾社区学院合作提出的提案旨在通过利用机器人技术的吸引力来改善STEM教育。它还支持行业对训练有素的专家的需求，这些专家能够对现代机器人进行编程、维护和故障排除。开发先进的、行业驱动的、动手操作的机器人自动化教育课程，将提高两年制和四年制院校电气工程技术学生的STEM教育质量。正在开发的软件将免费提供，以供修改，这将允许在购买工业机器人不可行的情况下教授机器人技术。教师发展将包括机器人和自动化方面的广泛培训和工业认证。与领先的机器人制造商合作，在学术界和工业界之间建立了重要的持续联系，确保课程定期更新，以满足新出现的需求。K-12教师研讨会将向那些在激励下一代工程技术专家方面发挥关键作用的人介绍技术的进步。在项目中获得的新的机器人课程和设备将吸引K-12教师和学生的兴趣，同时促进本科学习。该项目的结果是，工程技术人员将进入劳动力市场，以适应高科技工作场所复杂和不断变化的需求。机器人是一种有价值的学习工具，可以增强对STEM的整体理解和批判性思维。机器人的跨学科建设使其成为所有STEM领域的有用教学工具。机器人技术的新颖性有助于吸引和招募不同的STEM学生。在课堂上，机器人平台促进了学生对科学和数学原理的理解，发展和提高了解决问题的技巧，促进了合作学习。在机器人自动化方面也有对工业认证计划的强烈需求。课程包括旨在为学生提供配置和执行现实生活，行业可比的机器人场景的课程，并有机会获得认证。外部评估人员将与行业合作伙伴联系，以验证课程是否有效地满足行业需求。使用测试前/测试后嵌入式测试方法评估学生的学习情况。评估方法侧重于确定课程材料和教学方法对不同学生群体的有效性。在课程开发和试点阶段进行的形成性评估预计将通知后续课程设置的调整。预期总结性评价将有助于确定项目如何实现其目标并记录结果以供传播。该项目的推广部分还包括评估，对K-12教师、学生夏令营参与者和参与学校的相关人员进行调查，以评估影响。项目传播计划包括一个为期两天的研讨会，最多有12名教员参加。研讨会的目标是将从课程开发中获得的知识和从实验室开发中获得的技术信息与机器人培训相结合，为开发类似于本项目试点的课程制定实用的课程规划和策略。

This proposal led by Michigan Technological University in cooperation with Bay de noc Community College intends to improve STEM education by capitalizing on the appeal of robotics. It also supports industry demand for well-trained specialists capable of programming, maintaining, and troubleshooting modern robots. Development of an advanced, industry-driven, hands-on educational curriculum in robotic automation will improve the quality of STEM education for electrical engineering technology students at two- and four-year institutions. The software that is being developed will be freely available for adaptation, which will allow robotics to be taught even when the purchase of industrial robots is not feasible. Faculty development will include extensive training and industrial certification in robotics and automation. Partnership with a leading robotics manufacturer creates an important ongoing link between academia and industry ensuring the curriculum is regularly updated to meet emerging needs. K-12 teacher seminars will introduce advances in technology to those who play a pivotal role in inspiring future generations of engineering technologists. New robotics courses and equipment obtained in the project will attract interest of K-12 teachers and students, while simultaneously advancing undergraduate learning. As a result of the project, engineering technologists will enter the workforce prepared to adapt to the complex and changing demands of a high-tech workplace. Robotics is a valuable learning tool that can enhance overall STEM comprehension and critical thinking. The interdisciplinary construction of robots makes it a useful pedagogical tool for all STEM areas. The novelty of robotics is instrumental in attracting and recruiting diverse STEM students. In the classroom, a robotics platform advances students' understanding of both scientific and mathematical principles, develops and enhances problem-solving techniques, and promotes cooperative learning. There is also a strong need for industrial certification programs in robotics automation. The curriculum includes courses developed with the goal of providing students the occasion to configure and execute real-life, industry comparable, robotic scenarios with opportunity for certification. An external evaluator will contact industrial partners to verify that the curriculum effectively addresses industry needs. Student learning is being assessed using pre-test/post-test embedded testing methods. Evaluation methods focus on determining the effectiveness of course materials and instructional methods for the different student populations involved. Formative evaluation occurring during the course development and pilot stages is anticipated to inform adjustments for subsequent course offerings. Summative evaluation is anticipated to help determine how the project meets its objectives and document results for dissemination. The outreach portion of the project also entails evaluation when K-12 teachers, student camp participants and those involved at participating schools are surveyed to gauge impact. Project dissemination plans include a 2-day workshop for up to 12 faculty members. The goal of the workshop is to take the knowledge gained from curriculum development and the technical information gained from lab development, and combine it with robotics training to produce practical curriculum planning and strategies for developing courses similar to those piloted in this project.