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Title: Revolutionizing Robotics
Ask your students what they think of when they hear the word robotics. Most students likely imagine a large, clunky machine used in a manufacturing plant or construction site. Other students may mention modern humanoid robots that appear in popular culture like C3PO from the Star Wars franchise. No matter the response, there is a good chance that nearly all students will mention a robot made of hard materials like metal. This article describes the introduction of a new field, soft robotics, into high school classrooms to broaden students’ perceptions of how robots can be used and who works on robotics. Soft robots are made from compliant materials, such as rubber or textiles, and have a wide variety of applications in the medical field, space exploration, and food distribution. This field provides an excellent opportunity to expand students’ view of robotics while learning how to think and design like an engineer.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2106286
PAR ID:
10519177
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ;
Publisher / Repository:
NSTA
Date Published:
Journal Name:
The Science Teacher
Volume:
90
Issue:
5
ISSN:
0036-8555
Page Range / eLocation ID:
44 to 49
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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