2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

FORE: A Student-Centered Framework for Accessible Robotics Education through Simulation and Interactive Learning

Presented at Computers in Education Division (COED) Track 4.C

Robotics education is often constrained by the high cost and limited accessibility of physical robots, which can hinder the learning experience for many students. To address this challenge, the Fundamentals of Robotics Education (FORE) project, part of a larger NSF-funded collaborative work, was developed to create an accessible and comprehensive online learning platform. FORE provides a student-centered approach to robotics education, featuring a robust code editor, real-time simulation, and interactive lessons.

This paper presents the architecture and implementation of the FORE platform, highlighting its key components, including the backend simulation using Gazebo and ROS2, a frontend visualizer built with Three.js, and the integration of a Python-based coding environment. We discuss the development process, the contributions of the student team, and the challenges encountered during the project.

The results demonstrate the platform's effectiveness in making robotics education more easily available. These findings originate from software testing and utilization by senior computer science students, as well as feedback from participants at the University of Nevada, Reno College of Engineering's annual Capstone Course Innovation Day. The platform allows students to gain hands-on experience without the need for physical hardware. Its adaptability enables it to serve a broad audience of undergraduate students, offering an encompassing and accessible solution for modern robotics education.

Authors

Hossein Jamali University of Nevada, Reno [biography]

Hossein Jamali is a PhD student at the University of Nevada, Reno, focusing on Human-Computer Interaction, Artificial Intelligence, and Cloud Computing. His research encompasses a range of interdisciplinary topics, including AI-driven recommender systems and resource management algorithms. Hossein has authored several peer-reviewed papers in leading conferences and journals and has actively contributed to advancing AI and optimization techniques. His work reflects a commitment to creating innovative, leading-edge, and transparent computing solutions that enhance user experience and promote inclusivity.
Andrew L DeBolt
Henry Dalton University of Nevada, Reno [biography]

Henry is a senior in the Computer Science and Engineering Program at the University of Nevada, Reno and is set to graduate this Spring, 2025.
Jenavieve K Layosa University of Nevada, Reno
Ilana Rose Macy
Ponkoj Chandra Shill University of Nevada, Reno [biography]

PhD Student in Computer Science at University of Nevada, Reno.
Dr. David Feil-Seifer http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5502-7513 University of Nevada, Reno [biography]

David Feil-Seifer is an Associate Professor in Computer Science & Engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno. His primary research interests are Socially Assistive Robotics (SAR), Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), and Engineering Education. His resear
Frederick C Harris University of Nevada, Reno
Dr. Sergiu Dascalu University of Nevada, Reno
Rui Wu East Carolina University [biography]

Rui Wu received a Bachelor degree in Computer Science and Technology from Jilin University, China, in 2013. He then pursued his Master and Ph.D. degrees in Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno, completing them in 2015 and 2018, respectively. Currently, Rui works as an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science at East Carolina University, collaborating with geological and hydrological scientists to protect the ecological system. His primary research interests lie in machine learning and data visualization using AR/VR devices. Dr. Wu has actively contributed to several NSF and NIH funded projects, serving as both a Principal Investigator (PI) and Co-PI.

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 July 31, 2025

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