Tanner Upthegrove

Papers

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About

Tanner Upthegrove is an emerging researcher at the intersection of educational robotics, STEAM education, and climate change communication. Their work centers on developing innovative, child-robot interactive experiences that blend technology with the performing arts to create engaging learning environments. Upthegrove’s most notable contribution is the design and implementation of a 12-week child-robot musical theater afterschool program, detailed in their highly cited 2023 paper (17 citations). This work provides a foundational case study and practical guidelines for using theatrical human-robot interaction to promote integrated STEAM learning. Building on this, Upthegrove expanded the application of robot musical theater to address critical global issues, creating a performance specifically focused on climate change education (2022, 4 citations). By choreographing social robots in artistic narratives, their research demonstrates a novel method for making complex scientific topics accessible and emotionally resonant for young audiences. Upthegrove’s work is pioneering in its fusion of robotics, drama, and pedagogy, offering a creative blueprint for educators and technologists seeking to inspire the next generation of problem-solvers through interdisciplinary, project-based learning.