Our Vision, Mission, & Research Direction

OUR VISION:

To catalyze creativity, foster technological empowerment, and inspire learning by transforming robotics into an accessible and collaborative tool for exploration.

OUR MISSION:

To design, create, and disseminate robotics curricula and technologies that motivate young women and men to actively explore science and technology.

We believe that:

• Girls have as much natural ability in technology and engineering as boys, and unlike more classical science and technology instruction, robotics education captivates girls and boys equally.
• A key reason for low diversity in technology fields is a poor retention rate among women. Our classroom studies demonstrate that robotics-based curricula strengthen the appeal of science and technology to women, stemming low retention and creating true diversity.
• Early adoption of robotic systems in learning leads to a conceptual understanding and lifelong appreciation of science, technology, and engineering.

OUR PLAN:

Technologies for ubiquitous and portable computing have reached a critical mass, allowing us for the first time to create affordable robotic systems that are sophisticated and rewarding. These systems present the potential for a small revolution in the usage of robotics and allow us to formulate learning experiences and curricula which use robots and also impart knowledge that is applicable beyond robotics. By openly providing robot designs, documentation, and software, we lay a foundation for self-sustaining communities that contribute to and evolve both the technology and the curriculum well beyond what we initially create.