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Artificial intelligence

Robotics and AI Outreach Event at Howard University Attracts Next Generation of Engineers

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Howard University's Blackburn Center played host to a diverse group of students and professionals from across the DMV region, showcasing the rapidly expanding world of robotics and AI. The event, the second annual Robotics and AI Outreach, featured teams of high school students displaying their robots, while representatives from Amazon Fulfillment Technologies, FIRST Robotics, the U.S. Navy, and U.S. Army Research Laboratories presented their latest technologies and shared ways to get involved in high-tech research. The highlight of the event was the robotics showcase in the East Ballroom, where middle and high school teams presented their robots as part of the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) and FIRST Robotics Competition.

Key Takeaways:

  • The event brought together teams of high school students, university researchers, and professionals from various organizations, including Amazon, FIRST Robotics, and the U.S. Navy, to showcase the latest robotics and AI technologies.
  • The robotics showcase featured teams of students presenting their robots, designed and built within a six-week period, as part of the FTC and FIRST Robotics Competition.
  • Shelley Stoddard, vice president of FIRST Chesapeake, emphasized the entrepreneurial spirit of the teams, likening them to startups that need to recruit team members, manage fundraising, and create a brand.
  • The Ashburn, Virginia-based BeaverBots team showcased their robots, including the Stubby V2, Dam Driver V1, and DemoBot, while also highlighting their focus on getting younger children into robotics.
  • The student-run Howard University Robotics Organization (HURO) presented a drone demo, advocating for more young Black intellectuals to get into science and engineering.
  • HURO's drone program, launched in 2024, provides free drones to high schools and works with students in one-on-one mentorship to educate them on STEM.
  • Event organizer Harry Keeling, Ph.D., credits the HURO drone program for helping Howard University's AI and robotics outreach expand.
  • Keeling aims to build a strong network of local STEM outreach by partnering with HURO, other universities, high schools, industry partners, and the Department of Defense.
  • Keeling hopes that outreach events like this will make children see a future in tech as possible as any other field, citing his own experience talking to his daughters about their future careers.

Statistics:

  • The event featured over 275 students from across the DMV region.
  • The FTC and FIRST Robotics Competition teams had six weeks to design and build their robots.
  • The HURO drone program has been active since 2024.
  • The BeaverBots team has hosted multiple scrimmages with FTC teams and has started a team in California.

Sources:

  • Howard University's press release (no date provided)
  • Shelley Stoddard, vice president of FIRST Chesapeake (no date provided)
  • The Ashburn, Virginia-based BeaverBots team (no date provided)
  • Howard University Robotics Organization (HURO) (no date provided)
  • Harry Keeling, Ph.D., event organizer (no date provided)

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