Surgical Robot Competition Introducing Engineering In Medicine To Pre College Students

Abstract

Robotics is a multidisciplinary field that holds great potential for hands-on education throughout a student's school career. However, making technology accessible for learning is challenging due to cost, safety and implementation concerns. This paper describes a method for drawing on current, real life challenges faced by researchers in the field and translating such experiences into a secondary school level program. The concept of the competition, application of LEGO Mindstorms robotics platform, methods of organization and expansion, past experiences and future plans are presented. Our goal is to show an example of how to integrate off-the-shelf robotic technology with current real-world engineering challenges and to engage students in the fields of engineering, robotics, and medicine in a fun and exciting atmosphere.