Using robotics to teach the scientific method
Gabriel J. Ferrer · 2013
We present a series of lab exercises that teach non-science majors effective use of the scientific method. We have employed a robotics theme for these exercises, as robotics problems provide a compelling framework for the use of the scientific method in problemsolving. We identify four types of scientific experiments that are useful in this regard, and demonstrate how these types of experiments support the types of problem-solving essential to completing robotics tasks. Our approach is influenced by previous results in robotics education, computational use of the scientific method, and active learning techniques. Our exercises are available as a lab manual [12].