Howard University’s assistant professor of electrical engineering, Fadel Lashhab, Ph.D., has secured a $500,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. This funding will train K-12 educators in robotics and automation over five years.
The initiative aims to support STEM teachers, especially in underrepresented areas of the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region. Lashhab will work alongside colleagues Katherine Picho, Ph.D., and Imtiaz Ahmed, Ph.D., to weave robotics into school curricula. Their goal? To inspire students from diverse backgrounds to explore STEM careers and tackle longstanding disparities in education.
Lashhab emphasizes the commitment to making robotics education accessible. “Our team is excited to provide hands-on learning experiences that connect students with real-world technology,” he says. This approach will not only enhance the skills of educators but also increase the number of future engineers.
The project’s curriculum includes practical modules, leveraging resources from Howard’s Autonomous Vehicles, Robotics, and Control Laboratory. These materials are available online for broader adoption. They aim to teach fundamental concepts in robotics while assessing changes in teaching effectiveness.
In partnership with industry leader Quanser, the team will offer resources and mentorship to more than 60 educators. By incorporating Guided Inquiry-Based Learning (GIBL) into teaching, they hope to create models that schools can replicate.
This initiative is part of the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program, which focuses on attracting and retaining skilled STEM educators in underserved districts. Recent statistics highlight the importance of such programs: a report by the National Center for Education Statistics shows only about 7% of K-12 STEM teachers come from underrepresented backgrounds.
By focusing on teacher development, this project could significantly bolster STEM education and build a tech-savvy workforce for the future.
For more about the Noyce program and its impact, you can check the official site here.
