Inclusive Robotics: Open-Source Projects Empower STEM Education

Carlotta Berry, a professor at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, is transforming STEM education through her work on open-source robotics projects. Berry's journey began as an electrical engineering student where she faced economic and social exclusion, leading her to advocate for more inclusive practices in engineering education.

Her first major project, the LilyBot, is a modular, 3D-printed robot designed to be low-cost and accessible, allowing students to engage hands-on with technology. Since 2020, Berry has been actively promoting robotics education not just within her university but across the nation, reaching out to historically marginalized groups.

She has demonstrated her robots at various community venues, including schools and libraries, aiming to inspire children and adults alike. Berry emphasizes that representation in engineering is crucial, noting that only eight percent of electronics engineers are women and about five percent are Black.

Apart from her teaching, Berry co-founded Black in Engineering and Black in Robotics, groups aimed at supporting Black professionals in STEM. Her outreach efforts have earned her several accolades, including the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society's Undergraduate Teaching Award in 2023 for her contributions to diversifying STEM.

Additionally, her experiences during the pandemic inspired her to write a children's book series that encourages young readers to engage with technology. Berry's mission is clear: she wants to help individuals from diverse backgrounds see themselves not just as consumers of technology but as its creators.

Her innovative approach to education and community engagement reflects a significant step toward making STEM fields more inclusive and accessible, as reported by IEEE Spectrum Robotics.