Inventing the Future with Robots!
I'm a little late for #NationalSTEMDay but in my world, every day is #STEM day!
Thanks to KID Museum for hosting my livestream with Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants on Inventing the Future with Robots! This series, connecting classrooms around the world with #WomenInSTEM is sponsored by the IF/THEN initiative and Frontiers' Frontiers for Young Minds Journal.
I asked Google's NotebookLM to pull out 5 interesting things from the livestream:
💡 The Importance of Collaboration in Invention: A student asked who helps inventors create their inventions. Dr. Lathan emphasized that invention is rarely a solitary endeavor. She stressed the importance of seeking help from others, whether it be friends, teachers, or makerspaces like the KID Museum, to bring ideas to life.
💡 A Kindergartener's Time-Teaching Robot: When Dr. Lathan challenged the students to brainstorm inventions for a kindergartener using a clock and a robot, ideas from the students included a robot that transforms into a clock and one that delivers snacks at snack time.
💡 The Evolution of the Instrumented Glove: Dr. Lathan discussed her work on an instrumented glove designed to help people with disabilities control computers and robots. The development process spanned over a decade, starting with simple sensors in Lego pieces and evolving into a sophisticated glove with sensors in each finger. This example illustrates that invention is often an iterative process, requiring ongoing refinement and adaptation.
💡 Can Robots Become Evil?: A student asked if robots could become evil. Dr. Lathan responded that while robots might not become evil in the traditional sense, she believes people are becoming more like robots as technology advances. She pointed to examples like her robotic knee replacement and ongoing research into brain implants to preserve memory function. This raises interesting philosophical questions about the future relationship between humans and technology.
💡The Brushbot: A Simple Yet Effective Robot: When asked about the most common tool used in robot building, Dr. Lathan highlighted the importance of motors. She explained that motors are essential for giving robots movement and functionality. She then described the "brushbot," a simple robot made from a toothbrush head, a motor, and a battery, illustrating that even basic components can be used to create engaging and educational robots.
Image created with Dall-E 2.
Events like these not only celebrate the achievements of women in STEM but also serve as a catalyst for young minds to dream big and break barriers. It's about showing students that the world of science and technology is not only accessible but also a place where they can make a significant impact.
See full livestream above. Enjoy!
