Ninth graders from East Tech High School in Cleveland recently participated in a grant-funded program at Kent State University titled, Physical Science Robotics Interdisciplinary Design (PRIDe) in Computer Science Education: Broadening Participation in STEM through Cascading Peer-Mentorship.
The program, funded by the National Science Foundation, is a collaborative initiative involving the College of Aeronautics and Engineering, the College of Education, Health and Human Services, and the Office of Diversity Outreach & Development within EHHS.
During their campus visit, students engaged in a series of enriching academic activities, including:
- Overview of the Cognitive Robotics and AI Lab (CRAI) and AI Research: An introduction to the CRAI Lab and its ongoing AI research projects.
- Robotics demonstration: A live showcase featuring the lab's cutting-edge robotics and AI technology.
- Movie Screening and AI Ethics Debate: A thought-provoking screening followed by a discussion on ethical themes related to robotics and AI.
In addition to these activities, students explored the campus with Tadarrelle Lett from the Office of Diversity Outreach & Development. They visited mock residence halls and toured important student facilities, such as the LGBTQ+ Center and the E. Timothy Moore Center. They also learned about the range of academic support services available at the Center for Undergraduate Excellence.
This immersive experience was designed to inspire students to explore STEM fields and highlight the interdisciplinary opportunities at Kent State University.
Special thanks to the grant program's principal investigators: Elena Novak, Ph.D, Lisa Borgerding, Ph.D., and Jian Li, Ph.D., in EHHS; and Rui Liu, Ph.D., from the College of Aeronautics and Engineering.