Fun with Robots: a student-taught undergraduate robotics course

Abstract

We present a lab-based, student-taught robotics course at Carnegie Mellon University entitled Fun With Robots. The course does not require background knowledge of robotics, and students enroll from a wide variety of disciplines and education levels. Fun With Robots increases interest in robotics, and emphasizes the highly multidisciplinary nature of the field. In the course, students build a robot and learn basic elements of microcontroller programming, sensor use, planning, and manipulation through engaging projects. Fun With Robots is constantly evolving and has changed significantly over the six semesters it has been taught. This course serves as an introduction to robotics for students new to the field and links high school programs and advanced undergraduate robotics courses. Foremost, the course is intended to be fun; students are encouraged to demonstrate creativity and self-expression. Course materials are available via the web at http://www.funwithrobots.org