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2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Robotics Workshop for Middle School Teachers of Agriculture-Related Subjects

Presented at Smart Agriculture and Emerging Technologies in Biological and Agricultural Engineering Division (BAE)

Workshops are an integral part of professional development activities of K-12 STEM teachers. At the same time, the opportunities for workshops are limited. Availability, variety, and timeliness are among many factors that prevent teachers from upgrading their knowledge and skills to keep up with the new technology and put it in the classroom settings. The notion is especially relevant for teachers of agriculture-related subjects. Agriculture has traditionally relied on the experience of the previous generations. The new industrial revolution, Industry 4.0 (I4.0), is rapidly transforming traditional farming and making robotics relevant for new student audiences, including middle schoolers.

A team of STEM graduate students and a K-12 professional proposed, advertised, designed, and ran a workshop to address the needs of middle school teachers of agriculture-related subjects who decide to bring robotics in their classrooms. The team’s effort is a voluntary part of their participation in an inaugural eight-week workforce development program at a large Midwestern university in collaboration with other universities around the country. The team based their workshop on the curriculum that they designed during the program. The curriculum included a 11-lesson course in robotics for agriculture for middle school student and a teacher guide.

The results of the team’s workshop initiative demonstrated the demand for robotics workshops among K-12 STEM teachers of agriculture-related subjects. The workshop’s pre- and post-surveys showed increase in knowledge, skills, and motivation to teach programming among the participants. The described workforce development program created a unique research environment that encouraged the team to generate and implement ideas beyond the required deliverables, such as the presented workshop. Other K-12 STEM teachers can benefit from similar workshops at their local universities.

Authors

Mr. Yury Alexandrovich Kuleshov Purdue Polytechnic Institute, Purdue University – West Lafayette [biography]

Yury A. Kuleshov is a graduate student earning his Ph.D. in Technology degree from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. He received his Diploma in Engineering (6-year program) from Bauman Moscow State Technical University, where he majored in Robots and Robotic Systems, and specifically Underwater Robots and Vehicles; and his M.S. in Engineering Technology degree from Purdue University. He has experience working as an engineer, a research and teaching assistant, and an instructor. His research as a Ph.D. student is in autonomous vehicles, engineering education, and K-12 education.
Yaguang Zhang Purdue University at West Lafayette (COE) [biography]

Dr. Yaguang Zhang is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at Purdue University. He received his Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Purdue University in 2021, with research focused on improved site-specific wireless channel modeling and simulation for suburban and rural environments. Dr. Zhang’s research interests include UAV-aided wireless communication systems, intelligent transportation system applications in digital agriculture, proactive highway maintenance, and engineering education. His work bridges advanced sensing, connectivity, automation, and data-driven technologies with practical applications that support the modernization of agricultural and rural systems. In addition to his research contributions, Dr. Zhang plays a leading role in workforce development and STEM education initiatives. He serves as the Workforce Development Co-Lead for the National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering Research Center for the Internet of Things for Precision Agriculture (IoT4Ag), where he coordinates outreach activities, professional development workshops, and extension efforts to promote engagement in digital agriculture and related emerging technologies. Through curriculum development and university–K–12 partnerships, Dr. Zhang is committed to empowering educators and students with accessible robotics and programming experiences that prepare the next generation for future careers in smart farming and agricultural innovation.
Dr. Anne M Lucietto http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0053-753X Purdue University - Purdue Polytechnic Institute – West Lafayette [biography]

Dr. Lucietto has focused her research in engineering technology education and the understanding of engineering technology students. She teaches in an active learning style which engages and develops practical skills in the students. Currently she is exploring ties between hobbies and choice of major as well as workforce development in multiple areas.

Note

The full paper will be available to logged in and registered conference attendees once the conference starts on June 21, 2026, and to all visitors after the conference ends on June 24, 2026

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