Abstract:

Today there is a huge gap in students' interest in STEM related subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Faced with this latent need, educational robotics is postulated as a means to bring these young people closer to technical-scientific knowledge.

There are several types of robot and educational robotic kits on the market but they still fail to keep up with society and implement a teaching methodology that is attractive to young people. Facing this challenge, the HORIZON2020 STIMEY project is presented, through which a robot will be developed to meet these needs and increase students' motivation for technical careers. This motivation depends on several factors including form and capacity for interaction.

Based on these factors the need arises to evaluate how a robot can generate emotions found in a student. Perhaps they can associate a human form with a person with authority to fear, or perhaps they can expect a completely human interaction and not find it generate rejection however elaborate and complex it may be. On the contrary, it may be that a robot with more neutral forms but with greater capacity of interaction with the user generates a bond with a stronger bond when being associated like companion or mascot.

This article aims to study and analyze the different types of reactions that a young person can experience when first encountering a robot. Based on this research are intended to enhance the physical and functional characteristics of the educational robot mentor who can teach in an attractive and fun way in an underlying way.

Technological design, pedagogical approach, color combination, materials, voice recognition, humanoid or non-humanoid form, sensory and cognitive response, and some other aspects will be addressed in this paper.