Adaptation of Marine Soft Robotics for K-12 Educational Programs

Abstract

The field of soft robotics has long been inspired by oceanic biomimicry, producing robots made of compliant materials uniquely suited for underwater deployment. Beyond scientific research, there is also a desire to bring soft robotics to the K-12 community [1]. Adapting marine soft robots proposed by scientific studies for low-cost, easy-to-build projects helps break down barriers between high-level academia and K-12 education. Programs that introduce soft robotics early in education offer students unique insight into how cutting-edge technology develops and increase their preparedness for entry into the rapidly changing workforce.At MIT Sea Grant, two programs are being developed to showcase the possibilities of lowering cost and building support to make marine soft robotics classroom accessible. The first initiative was originally introduced as one aspect of the underwater vehicle SeaPerch II, MIT Sea Grant’s latest update to their SeaPerch national outreach program and is currently being further developed. The other student project being researched is a tethered soft robot capable of swimming through water. By extending an existing outreach program and offering a separate, in-depth project, educators can choose the scope of the activity. Both projects enable students to create complex actuators without needing access to a machine shop or power tools. The program is being developed with the intention of keeping costs low and minimizing the amount of specialized equipment and materials, while still encouraging creativity. Teaching students how to tackle complex design problems gives them skills they can apply and teach to others as they enter the workforce.