Otilia Popescu
Papers
5
Total Citations
24
H-Index
2
About
Otilia Popescu is an engineering educator whose research centers on STEM outreach, robotics-based learning, and mechatronics design methodology. With over 15 years of teaching experience spanning secondary and collegiate levels, she has dedicated her career to making engineering accessible and engaging for underrepresented populations, particularly young women. Her most-cited work, "Exposing Students to STEM Careers through Hands-on Activities with Drones and Robots" (2020, 12 citations), exemplifies her commitment to experiential learning as a gateway to engineering pathways. Popescu's earlier research, "An Initial Look at Robotics-based Initiatives to Engage Girls in Engineering" (2014, 6 citations), directly addressed the striking reality that only 2–3% of high school women express interest in engineering, positioning robotics kits as a transformative recruitment tool. Her work at Old Dominion University extended into curriculum innovation, where she championed mechatronics design methodology in senior engineering technology projects, reflecting the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of modern engineering. Through her partnership with organizations like the Girl Scouts, Popescu has brought informal learning environments into the fold, demonstrating that meaningful engineering education can happen anywhere, making her a notable advocate for inclusive STEM engagement.
Research Focus
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