Inspiring the next generation of scientists

Soft robotics workshop brings research to life for middle school students

Eighth grade students from Roberto Clemente Middle School in Germantown, Md., got a taste of what it’s like to design robots, based on an arthropod design, at a soft robotics workshop organized by the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

The visiting students learned about various materials and mechanical actuation systems. They were then challenged to make hand-like grippers, using drinking straws.

“Through these workshops we want to help inspire the next generation of scientists by translating the high-level research that goes on here at Harvard into something that can be done by middle-school students,” said workshop organizer Kathryn Hollar, Director of Community Engagement and Diversity.