Conference Agenda

This initiative presents a scalable model for international engineering outreach designed to bridge the gap between U.S. higher education and K-12 schools in Latin America. The core innovation lies in a "Virtual-First" Hybrid Mentorship Structure, replacing high-cost in-person coaching with a transnational digital loop between the University of Florida and Colegio De La Salle in the Dominican Republic.

The methodology integrates Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a "Research Partner," moving beyond passive information retrieval. Students utilized Large Language Models (LLMs) to ideate mechanical linkages, debug control logic, and optimize autonomous navigation. This approach was bolstered by the implementation of Embedded Machine Learning and computer vision for the development of FirevolX, a fire-detection robot. The efficacy of this model was validated at the 2025 World Robot Olympiad in Singapore, where a rookie team achieved an 18th-place global ranking.

The project’s second phase demonstrates exponential scalability. Following the initial success, student interest increased by 500%, expanding the program from one to six teams for the 2026 season. This growth is sustained through a Peer-to-Peer framework and hybrid validation involving on-site "engineering clinics" and teacher-training workshops. This initiative demonstrates that K-12 engineering excellence in developing nations is not restricted by the lack of localized physical expertise, but is instead enabled by a structured collaborative ecosystem. The project serves as a strategic blueprint for democratizing engineering education, proving that through transnational alliances and AI-integrated workflows, secondary students can master and compete under global industry standards directly from their home communities.