Students and faculty in the Mississippi State University Agricultural Engineering, Technology and Business program visited Discovery Street this week with their robotic dawg, GO-2.
Good (robotic) dawg! This week, students in our Discovery Street Summer Childcare Program enjoyed a visit from Mississippi State University Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering and their robots. The AETB (Agricultural Engineering Technology & Business) program offered students a hands-on lesson in how robots can help farmers and growers pick strawberries or harvest eggs using the robot technology they are developing. Students were able to touch the robots, work their claws and hands, and see how they have been engineered to pick up fruit and move.
In addition, the program's robotic dog, GO-2, brought lots of smiles and fun as the team demonstrated his camera eye and how quickly he can move, jump and walk. GO-2's camera eye showed footage of his experience on a mobile app, which students were able to view in real-time. The robotic "companion" was purchased by the AETB program as a way to experiment with robots and to create easy ways for the technology to interact with the public. His lifelike movements prompted lots of opportunities to "pet" the robotic dog during the team's visit.
Technologists in MSU's AETB program focus on developing, managing and troubleshooting technology systems that can be utilized in the intersection of agriculture and business, and robotics is one component. Their work can be applied to machinery, biological processes, computers and other technologies to enhance or maintain production systems.
The Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District strives to expose students to strategic career exploration and the world of what's possible for their future interests through strong community partnerships like what the district enjoys with Mississippi State. Visits like this one from graduate programs or industry professionals offer students as young as prekindergarten an up-close look and hands-on experience in how technology can be not only fun, but apply to future careers and studies.
Discovery Street is the district's fee-based summer and after-school childcare program for students enrolled in PreK through 5th grade. The program is managed by the Discovery Center and meets at Sudduth Elementary School. Click for more information about our Discovery Street program.
