In addition to watching a private, on-campus showing of the movie, "Hidden Figures," middle school students were treated to personal interactions with a robot and could direct education and career questions to a panel of engineers and scientists from a variety of backgrounds. The event was sponsored by the George R. Brown School of Engineering and organized by Associate Dean of Engineering Yvette Pearson Weatherton, who said it was designed to help the students see the opportunities available in STEM fields and introduce them to engineering.
Mark Moll, Senior Research Scientist in the Department of Computer Science, introduced the students to Igor, a robot from Lydia Kavraki's Robotics Lab. After a brief presentation, the students interacted individually with Igor, controlled by Moll to shake hands, change height and orientation, look into the faces of the students, and watch different speakers in group conversations.
Mark Moll introducing middle school students to Igor, the robot
Igor, the robot, shaking hands with a middle school student
Igor, the robot, shaking hands with a middle school student
Igor, the robot, with a middle school teacher
Middle school students interacting with Igor, the robot
Photo credit: Doni Soward.