Robot Diaries: Broadening Participation in the Computer Science Pipeline through Social Technical Exploration.

Abstract

In this paper we describe the results of a series of robotics workshops for secondary school girls. Specifically we show that, in a new pilot program, a group of eight girls was engaged by the workshop and gained technical knowledge over the course of a three-month workshop. The Robot Diaries program is unique in that it creates a social narrative approach to robotics education. The robotic technology becomes a tool for expression and communication rather than the sole focus of the workshop.