Dr. Mohamed Gharib, Multidisciplinary Engineering Technology STEM education students and Oakwood Intermediate School students celebrated the conclusion of the 14-week robotics course and competition, showcasing the impact of cross-disciplinary collaboration and community outreach initiatives. |
Image: Courtesy of Dr. Mohamed Gharib.
Texas A&M University's Multidisciplinary Engineering Technology program recently concluded its robotics competition for intermediate school students. The competition, organized by Dr. Mohamed Gharib and engineering students in the Multidisciplinary Engineering Technology STEM education track, consisted of a 14-week course held at Oakwood Intermediate School. The program was based on Lego Education Academy's STEM approach and focused on robotics construction, programming and testing.
Gharib, an associate professor and program coordinator in Multidisciplinary Engineering Technology, developed a STEM teacher training and implementation program using Lego Education Academy kits and curricula. Multidisciplinary Engineering Technology STEM education engineering students were trained in the fall semester and implemented the workshop at the intermediate school under Gharib's supervision. The program culminated in a robotics competition in the Cooperative Robotics and Smart Manufacturing (Cobotics) Lab at Texas A&M.
The STEM education track in the Multidisciplinary Engineering Technology program is a unique engineering program that prepares students to become certified in engineering, math and physical science at the secondary education level. The program is managed by Gharib and overseen by Dr. Reza Langari, department head of the Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution, and Dr. Michael A. de Miranda, dean of the School of Education and Human Development.
Gharib, an associate professor and program coordinator in Multidisciplinary Engineering Technology, developed a STEM teacher training and implementation program using Lego Education Academy kits and curricula. Multidisciplinary Engineering Technology STEM education engineering students were trained in the fall semester and implemented the workshop at the intermediate school under Gharib's supervision. The program culminated in a robotics competition in the Cooperative Robotics and Smart Manufacturing (Cobotics) Lab at Texas A&M.
The STEM education track in the Multidisciplinary Engineering Technology program is a unique engineering program that prepares students to become certified in engineering, math and physical science at the secondary education level. The program is managed by Gharib and overseen by Dr. Reza Langari, department head of the Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution, and Dr. Michael A. de Miranda, dean of the School of Education and Human Development.
The robotics competition organized by Texas A&M University's Multidisciplinary Engineering Technology program challenged students to apply their STEM skills in a fun and engaging way. |
Image: Courtesy of Dr. Mohamed Gharib.
“Texas A&M is the only university in the United States that prepares teachers in physical science, math and engineering in collaboration with the College of Engineering,” said de Miranda.
Benjamin Laurel, a Multidisciplinary Engineering Technology STEM education student, shared his experience. "Working with the students at Oakwood Intermediate School was an incredible experience that taught me the importance of breaking down large-scale projects into sections,” he said. “Despite that, the students blew me away with how well they adapted and overcame the complexity of such a daunting challenge. I am grateful that the Multidisciplinary Engineering Technology STEM education program taught me the skills and practices that guided me during this outreach program."
Rocco Grande, principal of Oakwood Intermediate School, expressed his gratitude to Texas A&M and the Multidisciplinary Engineering Technology undergraduate students for sponsoring an after-school robotics club. "The students love being a part of the robotics club, working together to create something of their own. I am tremendously grateful to the Multidisciplinary Engineering Technology undergraduate students and Dr. Gharib for coming to Oakwood with this fantastic initiative,” he said.
Benjamin Laurel, a Multidisciplinary Engineering Technology STEM education student, shared his experience. "Working with the students at Oakwood Intermediate School was an incredible experience that taught me the importance of breaking down large-scale projects into sections,” he said. “Despite that, the students blew me away with how well they adapted and overcame the complexity of such a daunting challenge. I am grateful that the Multidisciplinary Engineering Technology STEM education program taught me the skills and practices that guided me during this outreach program."
Rocco Grande, principal of Oakwood Intermediate School, expressed his gratitude to Texas A&M and the Multidisciplinary Engineering Technology undergraduate students for sponsoring an after-school robotics club. "The students love being a part of the robotics club, working together to create something of their own. I am tremendously grateful to the Multidisciplinary Engineering Technology undergraduate students and Dr. Gharib for coming to Oakwood with this fantastic initiative,” he said.
The robotics competition organized by Texas A&M University's Multidisciplinary Engineering Technology program challenged students to apply their STEM skills in a fun and engaging way. |
Image: Courtesy of Dr. Mohamed Gharib.
The Multidisciplinary Engineering Technology robotics competition is part of the Robotics Innovation in STEM Education (RISE) initiative developed by Gharib in the fall 2022 semester. The RISE program aims to establish industry partnerships and create an education, competition, outreach and research hub at the Cobotics Lab in the engineering technology and industrial distribution department to support robotics and STEM education.
The RISE program exemplifies valuable educational opportunities for students and communities through innovative, cross-disciplinary collaboration.
To learn more about the Multidisciplinary Engineering Technology STEM education program, please contact Gharib at mgharib@tamu.edu.
The RISE program exemplifies valuable educational opportunities for students and communities through innovative, cross-disciplinary collaboration.
To learn more about the Multidisciplinary Engineering Technology STEM education program, please contact Gharib at mgharib@tamu.edu.