Robotics Workshop @ LSU

June 23-24, 2010

A robotics workshop called INSPIRE (Innovative Scholastic Program in Robotics Education) was held at the Robotics Research Lab of Computer Science Department and at the Military Science Building at LSU on June 23rd and 24th, 2010.

This is a program developed by LSU AgCenter and the Computer Science Department to harvest creative minds in engineering and technology and channel the young minds towards the pursuit of new directions by unlocking their imagination and discover their potential to face the challenges of a global society. This program enables the use natural curiosity and creative thinking to spark the joy of learning among high-school students.

The purpose of this effort is to inspire students to pursue careers in engineering, science, technology, and math through participation in healthy, hands-on learning activities that foster science and engineering talent, cooperation, creativity and innovation through building robots.

INSPIRE is an exciting program that assimilates teams, sponsors, high-schools, and technical professionals with high school students to develop their solution to a prescribed engineering challenge in a competitive game environment.

Attributes of the Program

• Creates real-world academic challenge
• Increases students' interest in and understanding of engineering and science
• Exposes students to new career opportunities
• Promotes school spirit and sense of community

Benefits to Students

• Increases understanding of technical concepts and scientific principles
• Provides real-world engineering experience with limited resources
• Reinforces project management concepts with constrained time period
• Encourages abstract thought, self-directed learning, and problem solving
• Promotes team building, good sportsmanship, leadership, and ethical conduct
• Produces pride in success

Impact of INSPIRE

• Student achievement and inspiration in engineering, science and technology.
• Maximizing the pipeline for future engineers in Louisiana
• Maximizing the number of women and minority students in rural Louisiana
• Encourages abstract thought, self-directed learning, and problem solving

The primary benefactors are the participating students. This extracurricular academic experience engages students through innovative, self-directed problem-solving activities involving team-work and engineering skills.

This program fosters interest and competence in science, mathematics and computers while enhancing problem-solving skills, enabling creative and innovative thinking and design for applying in real-world and practical scientific concepts.

The contest goal is to develop the following life skills in teens: problem solving, decision making, teamwork, communication, cooperation, planning, organizing, critical thinking and contribution to group effort.

The vision of this process is to have at least one team member who is proficient in researching topics for the internet, one person who is proficient at organizing and synthesizing the information into a logical presentation format and one team member who is proficient in presenting the information in a power point format.

This program is designed to change mindsets by bringing a thought process that flows from developing a concept and evolving that into a physical structure and finally to operational use. This enables the students to understand the problem, discover new problems and break the problem barrier once a solution is developed and tested.

INSPIRE program members:

• Dr. S.S. Iyengar (Chair, Computer Science Department)
• Ms. Melissa Cater (Evaluator, LSU AgCenter)
• Dr. Janet Fox (Professor and Associate Department Head, LSU AgCenter)
• Ms. Katina Hester (Web Designer, LSU AgCenter)
• Ms. Kimberly Jones (LSU AgCenter)
• Mr. Srivathsan Srinivas (Ph.D. Student, Computer Science)
• Mr. Jong-Hoon Kim (Ph.D. Student, Computer Science)