Number 1 Reason to Teach Robotics: Application

Presented by Dr. Henry Astley, Assistant Professor, Department of Biology and the School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, University of Akron; and Dr. Peter H. Niewiarowski, Professor of Biology, Biomimicry Research and Innovation Center (BRIC), University of Akron

Sponsored by CoderZ

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Closed captioning will be added to the recording within 2 weeks of the live presentation.

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Why should you be teaching robotics in your classroom? Join us for this edWebinar on application. Researchers from the Great Lakes Biomimicry center will discuss their research, how it will impact the future of robotics, and what this means for today’s students. In this recorded edWebinar, viewers will learn how to:

• Enrich instruction
• Apply benefits of coding and robotics in the classroom
• Connect and apply theory to modern industry examples for students
• Demonstrate applications of robotics research and connect with industry researchers

The presenters also discuss:

• Application of nature-inspired solutions to tackle complex human problems
• Snake locomotion as applied to disaster rescue robots
• Barriers to robotics for students
• Biohybrid microrobots

In this recorded edWebinar, hear from researchers on the cutting edge, see how technology is being applied, make connections for your classroom, and meet a snake! This recorded edWebinar will be of interest to teachers, librarians, and school and district leaders of the elementary through high school levels.

About the Presenters

Dr. Henry Astley is a faculty member of the University of Akron’s Biomimicry Research and Innovation Center, an interdisciplinary group of businesses, faculty, and graduate students who collaborate to find nature-inspired solutions to tackle complex human problems. His research focuses on the biomechanics of animal locomotion at the intersection between biology and physics. He was recently awarded a prestigious National Science Foundation CAREER Award. The grant will fund Dr. Astley’s research on snake locomotion, with applications such as helping to create snake-inspired robots. These robots could be useful in a search for survivors in unpredictable terrain such as earthquake rubble.

Dr. Peter H. Niewiarowski is the professor of Integrated Biosciences (IB) and Biology at the University of Akron and is a Biomimicry Research and Innovation Center (BRIC) principal investigator. His research includes projects in amphibian population biology, life history evolution and physiological ecology of lizards and gecko ecology and evolution, especially as it relates to adhesion. Gecko adhesion research, in collaboration with the lab of Ali Dhinojwala, a University of Akron polymer scientist and BRIC principal investigator, is the focus of his current work, including biomimetic applications.

Closed captioning will be added to the recording within 2 weeks of the live presentation.

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Grounded in math, physics, and engineering, CoderZ trains students grades 4 and up in computational thinking and technical ability. It challenges them with real-world problem-solving to develop a growth mindset. Together, we can help kids power up their futures with STEM.