CAMPING WITH ROBOTS: NSU opens students’ minds to STEM | News
Northeastern State University opened its doors and the minds of young students during the first Robotics for Young Scientists and Engineers summer academy.
Weihuan Zhao, mechanical engineer and associate professor in the NSU physics department, said the week-long summer academy has students building two robotic vehicles. The first vehicle featured a claw that could grab and lift small items, and the second will be built to shoot basketballs.
The purpose of the summer academy is to get high school students interested in STEM during the June 10-14 camp.
“[Since] this is also the new mechanical engineering program at Northeastern State University, I would like to track young students and [have them] come to engineering,” Zhao said.
Zhao said the students not only learned how to assemble the machine and build a mechanical system, but they were expected to figure out how to code the vehicle.
“I like all the parts [of the camp],” Zhao said. “If they can successfully build and make it run, that will be the most exciting part for me.”
The average age of student participants is 16 years old, with attendees being from the local scene and some coming all the way from the Tulsa area.
James Davis and Dylan Davis, both of Okay, and Keelan Raymond, of Cherokee County, were working together on building the Clawbot. James and Dylan said they wanted to go to the camp because of their interest in robotics, while James and Dylan mainly wanted to learn how to code.
“I’m interested in robotics, and I like just building stuff and learning how things work,” Keelan said.
The trio said they learned about the different types of claw and arm designs at the camp.
The students had hands-on learning in the classroom with the Clawbots June 11, but the day before – the first day of the camp – the participants toured the FlightSafety Simulation Co. in Broken Arrow.
Summer academies have been held on the NSU campus for the past 15 years. Pamela Christol, NSU science education professor, said she and Zhao hope to hold the camp again next year, but double the number of participants.
Christol said the students got to fly simulators on which actual pilots practice and get a hands-on experience of what they can expect in some STEM fields.
“It was incredible, and the kids got to do things most people don’t get to do,” Christol said.
Christol said she wants the students to gain an understanding of STEM careers associated with robotics. She said she enjoyed seeing a few girls take part in the summer academy, as many may lack confidence in STEM spaces.
“These girls they have so many opportunities, and we’ve got to get them out into experiences like this, so they have the confidence, experiences, and interest to pursue a career like this,” Christol said.
