Mangnan Tan

About

Mangnan Tan is a dedicated advocate for accessible, hands-on engineering education, with a primary research focus on K-12 robotics outreach and pipeline development. Their work centers on designing and evaluating cost-effective robotics programs that engage students from elementary through high school, while simultaneously providing valuable experiential learning opportunities for university engineering students. Tan’s most influential paper, “Affordable K-12 robotics programs” (2011, 5 citations), offers a seminal analysis of programs like GEAR, BEST, and FIRST Robotics in West Texas, arguing that a hybrid model of both low-cost and competitive programs maximizes student participation. Building on this, their 2014 work, “Hosting a Pipeline of K-12 Robotics Competitions at a College of Engineering” (2 citations), documents the dual benefits of hosting such events at Texas Tech University: they excite young learners and enrich undergraduate and graduate education through formal coursework and volunteerism. Though citation counts are modest, Tan’s impact is deeply practical, shaping how engineering colleges can sustainably foster STEM interest from an early age. Their contributions highlight a model where university resources directly fuel community engagement, making engineering accessible to diverse student populations.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Affordable K-12 robotics programs

   5 citations · 2011
2. 2
   Hosting a Pipeline of K-12 Robotics Competitions at a College of Engineering – A Review of Benefits and Challenges

   2 citations · 2014

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links