2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Wilkes University, in collaboration with Production Systems Automation (PSA) and regional high schools, has developed EXPLOR-NEPA: Experiential Learning for Artificial-Intelligence-Driven Robotics in Northeast Pennsylvania under the NSF ExLENT Explorations Track. This initiative aims to create a sustainable, experiential learning pipeline that prepares high school students for academic and career pathways in emerging fields of artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and automation.
The program implements a three-phase, cohort-based experiential framework: (1) high-school robotics clubs emphasizing game-based AI learning and teamwork, (2) dual-enrollment coursework and industry mentorship through Wilkes University’s SPARK Scholars program, and (3) a Summer Robotics Lab and Scholar Program providing extended mentorship, job shadowing, and career development. Each phase integrates hands-on learning, industry-aligned problem solving, and structured mentorship, following the National Society for Experiential Education (NSEE) principles.
During the first implementation year, over 100 students participated in robotics club activities and dual-enrollment experiences that introduced AI programming, machine learning, and automation concepts. Early feedback indicates increased student interest in AI-driven technologies and improved problem-solving confidence. The program’s ongoing evaluation, led by an external research and evaluation team, uses mixed methods (pre/post surveys, focus groups, and performance assessments) to track learning gains, retention, and college enrollment in STEM programs.
This work in progress highlights lessons learned from integrating AI-driven robotics into pre-college experiential learning, the effectiveness of academic–industry partnerships in building workforce readiness, and strategies for scaling the model across regional schools. The project’s long-term goal is to establish a replicable framework for AI and robotics education that advances inclusive access to high-growth STEM careers, strengthens the regional workforce, and contributes to national models of experiential engineering education.