Brianna Montoya

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Brianna Montoya is a researcher whose work bridges the intersection of robotics, human-robot interaction, and educational technology. Her most recognized contribution, "Making in the Middle: Walk Like a Robot" (2019), explores how middle school students engage with robotics through hands-on, design-based learning activities. This paper, though early in her career, has garnered 3 citations and serves as a foundational piece for understanding how embodied, creative making can demystify complex robotic systems for young learners. Montoya's research emphasizes the pedagogical value of "making" as a tool for fostering computational thinking and engineering identity, particularly among underrepresented groups in STEM. Her work is notable for its focus on accessible, low-cost robotics platforms that empower students to experiment with movement, sensors, and programming. By centering the learner's experience and the social context of technology creation, Montoya contributes to a growing body of literature that reimagines robotics education as inclusive, playful, and deeply human. Her emerging impact signals a promising trajectory in the fields of K-12 STEM education and human-centered robotics.