Year: 2025
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: An undergraduate course is being developed for non-engineering majors to address the need for general competencies in ethics, science, and technology.Robotics is a field of science that is rapidly transforming our lives.Participants in the course will learn the history, mechanics and software, and applications of robots and learn to analyze the ethical, social, and economic concerns.The unique feature of the proposed course is that the participants will use hands-on assignments with a LEGO Mindstorm kit (interlocking plastic bricks, gears, computer) to explore these issues.For example, students will use the LEGOs to build a face for a robot that expresses emotions as an exercise to more deeply consider the use of robots as surrogates for human interaction.The course will be monitored and updated using formative and summative assessments including a modified "Views on Science-Technology-Society" (VOSTS) tool.Trial use of the VOSTS tool is described.
Authors: Timothy Burg, Pamela Mack, Ian Walker, Richard Groff
Institutions: Kansas State University, Clemson University
Language: English
Subfield: Artificial Intelligence
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: gold
Funder: National Science Foundation
OpenAlex ID: W4409668573