Curricula for Instructors

A Robot Diary is a customizable robot designed to serve as a means of expression for its creator. Using light, sound, and movement, users can choreograph their Robot Diaries to be responsive to a diary entry or other piece of text. Users can also enter into a community where they are able to share the contents of their Robot Diary with others. Ultimately, the robot diary provides a unique means of exploring, expressing, and sharing emotions, ideas and thoughts while promoting technological literacy and informal learning. Read more »

The goal of this program is to expand interest in computer science among secondary school students. We plan to achieve this through the introduction of unique robot-based modules in to the high school computer science curriculum. During the 2007-2008 school year we worked closely with seven high school teachers from across the country in order to develop robotics curriculum modules. In the summer of 2008 we will hold a teacher training workshop to gather feedback from a larger group of teachers and to teach them how to use the curriculum in their own courses. Workshop details and registration are available at the CSbots website »

Neighborhood Networks is a participatory design program focused on community robotics for local representation and action. Examples of such groups include block-watches, community gardeners, and preservationists. Our specific interest is how such neighborhood groups use, or might use, emerging networked technologies as means of publicly expressing themselves and pursuing their civic agendas. Technologically, Neighborhood Networks is focused on open networks and distributed computation. In particular, we are interested in the use of robotics, digital imaging systems, environmental sensors, and the free/low-cost services that support the collective use of these technologies.

The outcome of Neighborhood Nets will include:

• Methods for describing the process of technology engagement and use at the community level
• Participatory design methods and support materials for engaging communities with robotic technologies
• Examples potential robotic products and services in the form of videos and working artifacts and systems

Learn more at the Neighborhood Networks website.

Robot 250 is a project celebrating the city of Pittsburgh through a combination of technology and the arts. Robot 250 brings technology and creative learning opportunites to children and communities within Pittsburgh and empowers them to design robots that enhance or highlight their communities. Learn more at the Robot 250 website.