2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Engaging Engineering Students in Experiential Learning through Robot Droids and K-12 Outreach

Presented at Advancing Robotics Education: Frameworks, Platforms, and Teacher Preparation for K-12 Engagement

In this full evaluation paper, we discuss a study that examines the impact of two experiential learning programs on both engineering students (as teachers) and K-12 students (as learners) aimed at enhancing STEM education. The two programs focused on providing hands-on engineering experiences by having students build custom 3D-printed robots that taught them a wide range of skills in electronics and coding. The first program, STEM MiniDome, involved engaging students in building a 50% scale model of an R2-D2 dome from Star Wars. The second program, Robot Wars, involved custom-designed robots that students could modify and 3D print, culminating in team competitions at the end of the school year. These custom 3D-printed robots provided the initial buy-in and engagement for both student teachers and learners as the student cohorts navigated through a series of 19 lessons they completed throughout the academic year at the K-12 school. At the end of the school year, a celebration-day event was held where students showcased their projects and were recognized for their results and creativity. The findings from this study illustrate that the programs effectively address the challenge of having STEM K-12 educators become more comfortable teaching engineering concepts and the skills associated with engineering by directly involving college professors and students in the K-12 teaching cycle. The collaboration enhances the educational experience for K-12 students, helping them develop essential skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity. Survey results indicate that high school students, after participating in the program, were more likely than the national average of STEM high school students to have an interest in exploring a career in computer science. These results (40% versus 11%) suggest that the program fosters a pipeline of future innovators and problem solvers while building a stronger community with a well-educated workforce capable of addressing local needs. This study also highlights the positive impact on college students, as they enhance their skills through mentoring and guiding younger learners, cultivating their confidence around the social impact engineers can have in the community.

Authors

Dr. Joshua Montgomery THE Ohio State University & Southern State Community College [biography]

Dr. Joshua Montgomery is a Computer Science Professor at Southern State Community College, a Senior Lecturer at The Ohio State University, and an AI instructor at Southern New Hampshire University. With over a decade of experience as a professor and 13 years as the Technology Director for Chillicothe City Schools, Montgomery has been deeply involved in education and technology leadership. He serves as Co-Director of the Ohio Code Scholar program, an initiative by the Ohio Department of Higher Education aimed at developing electronic and coding skills for K-12 students in southern Ohio.

Montgomery is the inventor of the STEM MiniDome and Wearable Droid teaching robots, tools used to teach electronics and coding to students. An active member of the Star Wars droid builder community, Montgomery built a full-scale replica of R2-D2, a project that took 2.5 years to complete. His experience with this project transformed his teaching approach, a topic he discussed in his TED Talk in Dayton, Ohio, in 2021. Montgomery is also the cofounder of SOMACC (Southern Ohio Makers Against COVID Coalition), a grassroots group that produced 4,500 3D-printed face shields for first responders at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Amy Perkins-McClellan Southern State Community College [biography]

Amy Perkins-McClellan is a professional in higher education having managed grants and special projects for 12 years at a rural community college in Southern Ohio. With a background rooted in both manufacturing, project management, and education, she has consistently demonstrated her ability to drive innovative solutions, execute projects, and lead successful teams. Amy combines her technical proficiencies with a commitment to fostering growth and collaboration in all areas of work. Over the years, she has worked on grants, student success, retention, project management and execution, community outreach, and program planning. Over the years, she has worked hard to be recognized as a leader in excellence and impact in a rural setting. Mrs. Perkins-McClellan serves as the Co-Director of the Ohio Code Scholar program, an initiative by the Ohio Department of Higher Education that is aimed at developing electronic and coding skills for K-12 students in southern Ohio.

When not immersed in her professional pursuits, Amy enjoys watching her daughter play competitive softball, golfing, and cruising, reflecting on her well-rounded and compassionate approach to life.
Dr. Ayanna Howard The Ohio State University [biography]

Dr. Ayanna Howard is the Dean of Engineering at The Ohio State University and Monte Ahuja Endowed Dean's Chair. Previously she was the Linda J. and Mark C. Smith Endowed Chair in Bioengineering and Chair of the School of Interactive Computing at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Dr. Howard’s research encompasses advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), assistive technologies, and robotics, and has resulted in over 275 peer-reviewed publications. She is a Fellow of IEEE, AAAI, AAAS, and the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). She is also an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and recipient of the Richard A. Tapia Achievement Award and NSBE Janice Lumpkin Educator of the Year Award. To date, Dr. Howard’s unique accomplishments have been highlighted through a number of other public recognitions, including being recognized as one of the 23 most powerful women engineers in the world by Business Insider and one of the Top 50 U.S. Women in Tech by Forbes. In 2013, she also founded Zyrobotics, which developed STEM educational products to engage children of all abilities. Prior to Georgia Tech, Dr. Howard was at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory where she held the title of Senior Robotics Researcher and Deputy Manager in the Office of the Chief Scientist.

Note

The full paper will be available to logged in and registered conference attendees once the conference starts on June 22, 2025, and to all visitors after the conference ends on June 25, 2025

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