Robot Project RASEM

Robot Building Project(s) Funded by GM Gift

August 18 and 19, 2001

As information collected by the Regional Alliance for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics for Students with Disabilities (RASEM) indicates, students with disabilities are frequently neglected in areas of science, math, engineering, and technology (SMET). One way to involve these students and to motivate them to gain interest in SMET is through hands-on engineering activities.

This project introduced 30 ten- to thirteen-year-old children to SMET through a hands-on project in which participants created a robot from a kit. Throughout the project, special needs students teamed up with non-special needs students to build the component parts by soldering them together. Five NMSU EE students, two elementary school teachers and one NMSU EE instructor served as monitors and classroom assistants while some parents remained to help throughout the two-day project. After the robots were completed, the children tested their work in a race, determined how effective the robot's laser sensors were in detecting obstacles, and how effectively the on-board computers worked to avoid those obstacles.

When the project was completed, packets were mailed out which contained thank you letters to parents; picture IDs that granted to participants Challengers Club (CC) membership (The CC is an NMSU sanctioned, RASEM sponsored student organization composed of students with disabilities for the purpose of providing support and advocacy relating to disability issues.); and a packet to the participant's “favorite teacher” to be delivered by the participant which included information about RASEM and a survey about the influence that the project had on the participants with respect to their view of science. Teachers were provided SAS envelops in which to return the surveys. So far, the teacher responses have been quite positive and the data will be used to improve similar projects which will be undertaken in the future by RASEM.

Project coordinator and senior EE student, Jerry Wightman, scheduled the project from Saturday, August 18 to Sunday, August 19 at the NMSU Electrical and Computer Engineering department Electronic Circuits Laboratory. Mr. Wightman proposed and was granted funding for the project from RASEM, a program funded principally by the National Science Foundation and administered from the NMSU College of Engineering. However, the principal funding source for the Robot Building project came as a result of a generous gift from GM. Through RASEM, the funds were applied to the purchase of 10 robot kits, tool kits, soldering wire, safety glasses, drinks and lunch for the participants and staff, and hats for the 30 student participants.

The project generated so much interest, over one-hundred students were recruited, that a second project, for October 20 and 21 and possibly a third in the spring, is scheduled to accommodate as many of the students as possible. Of the thirty students who participated in the first robot project, six were students with disabilities and will return as “peer mentors” in the second go-round. In addition to the six returning students, the project staff will enlist at least 15 additional students with disabilities to create a 50-50 split in the 30-student enrollment. To determine the effectiveness of the project of instilling a lasting interest in SMET and advancing the self-esteem of both students with disabilities and their nondisabled peers, a pre-and post-test will be administered. Mr. Wightman will again direct the project and Mr. Jeff Eastlack, an NMSU engineering technology / electronics option major, will coordinate. Again, the principal funding for the second project will come from GM.

It should be noted that Mr. Wightman and Mr. Eastlack are RASEM mentors. To qualify a student must have a minimum of 3.0 GPA, enrolled full-time in a RASEM partner university or college, have a SMET major, and be a student with a disability. RASEM mentors are also selected for their leadership qualities and serve as role models for students with disabilities who have dreams of becoming SMET professionals but whose efforts have been thwarted because of negative attitudes about disabilities held by society in general.

The goal of this project is to give students with disabilities the opportunity to participate in SMET related topics, while generating a lasting interest in SMET and advancing their self-esteem. With an increased need for a workforce trained in high technology areas, students with disabilities are a rich human resource not being currently used. They solve problems daily, a characteristic typical of high-tech professionals. In doing so, this broadens their horizons and gives them the confidence to overcome their disabilities. At the same time, students without disabilities are exposed to the experience of working with students with disabilities. In addition, students accepted for participation in the project will also be eligible for other RASEM and NMSU projects and will be notified of any special projects for which they may be eligible.

Vanessa Moreno, 9, left, and Asma Alsharjalbi, 9, race their robots as part of a workshop held by the Regional Alliance for Science, Engineering and Mathematics for Students with Disabilities on Sunday at New Mexico State University. Sun-News photo by Vladimir Chaloupka