Robotic Design Studio: Exploring the Big Ideas of Engineering In a Liberal Arts Environment (Extended Abstract)
Franklyn A. Turbak, Robbie Berg · 2000
Franklyn Turbak Computer Science Department, Wellesley College 106 Central St., Wellesley, MA 02481 [email protected] Robbie Berg Physics Department, Wellesley College 106 Central St., Wellesley, MA 02481 [email protected] Abstract We have developed a new course at Wellesley College called Robotic Design Studio, which serves to introduce liberal arts students to many of the big ideas of engineering. In this course, students learn how to design, assemble, and program robots made out of LEGO parts, sensors, motors, and small embedded computers. The course culminates in a robot exhibition where students show off the robots that they designed and built during the course. These creative projects tie together aspects of a surprisingly wide range of disciplines, including computer science, physics, math, biology, psychology, engineering, and art. The course, which has no prerequisites and has attracted students from a wide range of backgrounds, has been over-subscribed for the past four years. A web site with detailed descriptions of student projects and all other course materials can be found at: http://cs.wellesley.edu/rds.