The changing face of classroom instructional methods: service learning and design in a robotics course

Service-learning is a form of instruction which uses community service activities as part of the medium for learning. There are two components: service which actively engages the student in community service; and focused-directed learning. Service learning enhances the engineering curriculum by linking engineering directly to improving society, which makes the profession more appealing and more diverse. At Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), service-learning has been incorporated into the robotics course. VCU students work with other students from local high schools to design and construct a mobile robot within time, materials and cost constraints. These robots compete in the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology: FIRST Competition. This paper describes service-learning and the robotics course and how the two are incorporated to enhance the educational experience of the VCU and high school students and provide a service to the Richmond Virginia community.