Engineering Engagement

NoireSTEMinist®, educator, researcher and author Dr. Carlotta Berry is bringing robotics and engineering out of the classroom.<br />In the process, she's both changing the face of STEM, and the general perception of engineering..<br />Dr. Berry, who is a professor of engineering and robotics at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, frequently takes an "arts" approach to accomplish her mission of including underrepresented populations and women In the STEM professions.<br />And that includes creating hip-hop robot poetry, writing Black STEM romance novels and hosting workshops on "Robotics for the Streets".<br />Carlotta, as she likes to be called, wants to empower everyone to see themselves in engineering, and robotics. That includes artists and creators--and especially includes women, and members of the Black and Hispanic communities. <br />During the pandemic, she founded two nonprofits: Black in Engineering and Black in Robotics. Resources on these websites include a speakers' bureau for anyone hosting events, as well as a reading list which spotlights Black scholars and innovators.<br />And if you'd like to learn robotics with her, you have that opportunity!<br />Carlotta will be teaching her "Robotics for the Streets" Arduino workshop during the 2023 Make: Education Forum, which is happening in September. And if you're an educator, you'll get to hear all about the open-source robot she's created for your classroom!<br />Carlotta talked about her creative journey, shared the story of creating her nonprofits and "Robot Slam Poetry" and offered a preview of her upcoming workshop.