Conference Agenda

Robotics in Action: Inspiring the Next Generation of Engineers

"Robotics in Action" is an educational initiative designed to spark interest in engineering careers among K-12 students through interactive and hands-on experiences. Through talks, demonstrations, and exhibitions, the Robot Soccer robotics kit is presented, allowing participants to dynamically explore key concepts in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

The proposal promotes active learning, critical thinking, and teamwork, encouraging students to tackle challenges through the use of technology. It also seeks to generate early inspiration and bring engineering closer to young people in an accessible way, motivating them to consider these fields as a professional option.

As an added value, the initiative also extends its activities to schools in provincial areas, helping to broaden the project's reach and providing learning opportunities to students in contexts with less access to this type of technological resources.

What would happen if a child discovered that science could be done with materials found at home? Catalizando Ideas, created in 2024, aims to bring science and engineering closer to children who have limited access to STEM related activities. The project seeks to demostrate that science is not limited to laboratories but can be explored through curiosity, experimentation and play in everyday life.
The initiative is led by students from Tecnológíco de Monterrey, members of the student chapter of AIChE (American Institute of Chemical Engineers), in collaboration with Distrito Tec, a community initiative that promotes social development and learning spaces.
Through interactive workshops designed for children starting at four years old, participants explore scientific and engineering concepts through simple, visual, and hands on experiments. The activities take place mainly at Casa Naranjos, a community space within Distrito Tec, and are also brought to public schools in the Monterrey metropolitan area to reach students with fewer opportunities to access STEM education.
Since August 2024, the project has organized an average of 10 workshops per semester, each with around 15 children, benefiting approximately 45 families per semester. About 20 volunteers help design and facilitate the activities.
The workshops have shown positive results in fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and interest in science. By making science accessible and engaging, Catalizando Ideas seeks to inspire children to explore, ask questions and imagine solutions that may one day help to transform the world.

IDEA-AI transforms how K–12 students experience engineering by shifting them from passive users of artificial intelligence to active creators of solutions with real community impact. Implemented as a seven-week, fully remote program at Miami Dade College, IDEA-AI engaged 18 dual-enrollment high school students in hands-on, team-based projects where they designed and prototyped AI applications addressing challenges such as misinformation, financial security, and civic engagement.

Built on experiential learning and design thinking, IDEA-AI combines interactive workshops, accessible AI tools, and structured mentorship to create an inclusive entry point into engineering. Students do not need prior coding experience; instead, they learn by doing—testing ideas, refining prototypes, and experimenting with approaches such as vibe coding, where prompting and iteration become tools for rapid development. This process allows students to explore solutions creatively while also engaging with ethical questions such as bias, privacy, and responsible use of AI.

Students leave the experience with more than technical knowledge. They gain confidence, strengthen teamwork and communication skills, and begin to see themselves as capable contributors to engineering solutions. Many also complete industry-recognized AI micro-credentials, reinforcing connections between learning and future pathways. Mentorship from faculty and industry professionals further strengthens these outcomes by linking student work to real-world applications and careers.

Designed for flexibility and replication, IDEA-AI can be implemented in online, hybrid, or in-person settings using widely available tools and a modular structure. By centering community-driven challenges and creative problem-solving, the program offers a practical and scalable approach to expanding access to AI and engineering education.