WIP: A Model for Building Soft Robotics Knowledge and Interest: Student-Generated Learning Demonstrations

Cassandra Sue Ellen Jamison; Smitesh Bakrania; Mitja Trkov; Wei Xue

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Conference: 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: Portland, Oregon
Publication Date: June 23, 2024
Start Date: June 23, 2024
End Date: July 12, 2024
Conference Session: MECH - Technical Session 6: Curriculum Development and Pedagogical Strategies
Tagged Division: Mechanical Engineering Division (MECH)
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/48284

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Paper Authors

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Cassandra Sue Ellen Jamison Rowan University orcid.org/0000-0002-0253-1636

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Cassandra (Cassie) Jamison is an Assistant Professor in the Experiential Engineering Education Department at Rowan University (Glassboro, NJ). Her research interests focus on understanding and improving the learning that occurs in experiential, out-of-class activities for engineering students. Cassie previously received a B.A. in Engineering Sciences at Wartburg College (Waverly, IA) and her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in BME from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI).

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Smitesh Bakrania Rowan University orcid.org/0000-0003-0663-0241

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Dr. Smitesh Bakrania is an associate professor in Mechanical Engineering at Rowan University. He received his Ph.D. from University of Michigan in 2008 and his B.S. from Union College in 2003. His research interests include combustion synthesis of nanoparticles and combustion catalysis using nanopar- ticles. He is also involved in developing educational apps for instructional and research purposes.

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Mitja Trkov Rowan University

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Dr. Mitja Trkov is an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Rowan University, NJ. His research interests include soft robotics, human-machine interactions, wearable system, ergonomics, and biomechanics. He received his Ph.D. degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Rutgers University, New Brunswick in 2016 and his B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia in 2007. Before joining Rowan, he was a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT.

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Wei Xue Rowan University orcid.org/0000-0001-6550-5366

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Dr. Wei Xue is currently an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Rowan University. He received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in electrical engineering from Shandong University, China, and his Ph.D. degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. His research focuses on functional materials, soft robotics, and engineering education.

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Abstract

This work-in-progress paper will describe a novel approach to introducing soft robotics content to undergraduate mechanical engineering students through student-generated modules. Soft Robotics is a new and growing field that places emphasis on developing robotic solutions that prioritize compliant materials, embodied intelligence, and biomechanics in their design. Despite its short history, Soft robotics has gained significant momentum in industry and academic spaces, indicating a potential shift in the way robotics are used in industry and society. Soft robotics education has yet to fill the gap compared to the research advancements in this field. Our project explores the potential for student-generated soft robotics modules to impact the learning and interest in soft robotics of both (a) the students designing the modules and (b) the students participating in the modules once they are developed. Our project leverages a course structure at our institution called engineering clinics, which are a modified version of capstone design experiences. Within engineering clinics, our third and fourth year students engage in multi-disciplinary, team-based projects developed and mentored by faculty. The ten students in our clinic project were split into three teams of 3-4 students each and tasked with 1) surveying existing soft robotics principles, designs, and applications, 2) creating a soft robot prototype, and 3) designing an activity that could demonstrate a fundamental engineering principle with their prototype. At the end of the semester, student module-designers were asked to self-report their growth in learning outcomes associated with the clinic experience, reflect on the impact of their experience on their interest in soft robotics, and discuss the impact of the clinic experience on their preparation to pursue soft robotics or another engineering career in the future. Next steps of this project will involve surveying our student participants in the modules which can provide the opportunity to explore the differential impacts of designing soft robotics modules versus participating in the modules as a student. The results of this paper will focus on the preliminary patterns of learning we observed in the first-semester of clinic students designing soft-robotic learning modules. This work shares an innovative approach of involving students in the generation of educational material and capturing the impact of their involvement on their own learning within the field of soft robotics.

Citation
Format

Jamison, C. S. E., & Bakrania, S., & Trkov, M., & Xue, W. (2024, June), WIP: A Model for Building Soft Robotics Knowledge and Interest: Student-Generated Learning Demonstrations Paper presented at 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Portland, Oregon. https://peer.asee.org/48284

TY  - CPAPER
AB  - This work-in-progress paper will describe a novel approach to introducing soft robotics content to undergraduate mechanical engineering students through student-generated modules. Soft Robotics is a new and growing field that places emphasis on developing robotic solutions that prioritize compliant materials, embodied intelligence, and biomechanics in their design. Despite its short history, Soft robotics has gained significant momentum in industry and academic spaces, indicating a potential shift in the way robotics are used in industry and society. Soft robotics education has yet to fill the gap compared to the research advancements in this field. Our project explores the potential for student-generated soft robotics modules to impact the learning and interest in soft robotics of both (a) the students designing the modules and (b) the students participating in the modules once they are developed. Our project leverages a course structure at our institution called engineering clinics, which are a modified version of capstone design experiences. Within engineering clinics, our third and fourth year students engage in multi-disciplinary, team-based projects developed and mentored by faculty. The ten students in our clinic project were split into three teams of 3-4 students each and tasked with 1) surveying existing soft robotics principles, designs, and applications, 2) creating a soft robot prototype, and 3) designing an activity that could demonstrate a fundamental engineering principle with their prototype. At the end of the semester, student module-designers were asked to self-report their growth in learning outcomes associated with the clinic experience, reflect on the impact of their experience on their interest in soft robotics, and discuss the impact of the clinic experience on their preparation to pursue soft robotics or another engineering career in the future. Next steps of this project will involve surveying our student participants in the modules which can provide the opportunity to explore the differential impacts of designing soft robotics modules versus participating in the modules as a student. The results of this paper will focus on the preliminary patterns of learning we observed in the first-semester of clinic students designing soft-robotic learning modules. This work shares an innovative approach of involving students in the generation of educational material and capturing the impact of their involvement on their own learning within the field of soft robotics. 
AU  - Cassandra Sue Ellen Jamison
AU  - Smitesh Bakrania
AU  - Mitja Trkov
AU  - Wei Xue
CY  - Portland, Oregon
DA  - 2024/06/23
PB  - ASEE Conferences
TI  - WIP: A Model for Building Soft Robotics Knowledge and Interest: Student-Generated Learning Demonstrations
UR  - https://peer.asee.org/48284
ER  -