Talks & Sessions

Global Conference on Educational Robotics

Featured Speakers

Each year the Global Conference on Educational Robotics features talks by internationally recognized robotics and programming experts from academia, government and industry.

The 2012 GCER speakers included:

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Vijay Kumar

Vijay Kumar is the UPS Foundation Professor and the Deputy Dean for Education in the School of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Pennsylvania.
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Videos:
Quadrotors Perform
James Bond Theme
Aerial Manipulation
with Quadrotors
Construction with
Quadrotor Teams


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Maurizio Porfiri

Maurizio Porfiri was born in Rome, Italy in 1976. He received M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Engineering Mechanics from Virginia Tech, in 2000 and 2006; a “Laurea” in Electrical Engineering (with honours) and a Ph.D. in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics.
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Videos:
Robotic Fish
Robotic Fish - Pesce Robot
Video S1: Fish holding station in the back of the robotic fish


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Hiroshi Ishiguro

Hiroshi Ishiguro received a D.Eng. in systems engineering from the Osaka University, Japan in 1991. He is currently Professor of Department of Systems Innovation in the Graduate School of Engineering Science at Osaka University.
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Videos:
Roboticist explores nature of humanity
Geminoid-F Android Waits for a Friend in a Tokyo Department Store
Robot Looks Like Inventor


Breakout Sessions

The conference also features breakout sessions which allow students, teachers and mentors the opportunity to share their ideas and work with other conference attendees. This year's session topics include:

Educator / Researcher Track

  • Best Practices or innovations in programming
    Share your best ideas for programming.
  • Best Practices or innovations in mechanical design
    Show and tell your best ideas on how to mount sensors and motors, what makes a good chassis, how to make an effective appendage, etc.
  • It's All About the Math & Science
    Tell us how you use and apply math and science concepts in your projects!
  • Autonomous projects
    Have you done a cool autonomous project? Show it off and share your ideas!
  • Best practices for competitions
    Present your best and most effective tips and ideas on team organization, better documentation, effective team communication, conflict resolution, etc.

General Conference Track:

  • Nuts and Bolts of Managing Educational Robotics Programs
    Present your best ideas for organizing and maintaining your robotics program. (i.e. program management, recruitment, fundraising, sustainability, obtaining administrative support).
  • Hardware & software for robotics education
    Share your best ideas and innovations to make your educational programs more effective.
  • Innovative uses of technology
    Have you done something unique and creative utilizing new technology in your program? (i.e. online mentoring, programming tutorials, version control software, virtual meetings) Let's hear about it!
  • Robotics competitions & project based activities
    Highlight specific classroom and other competitions and activities you utilize in your robotics education program.
  • Curriculum for robotics education
    Tell us how you design and implement your curriculum in regular classroom or extracurricular activities.
  • Informal robotics education
    Highlight your best practices and successes while sharing your ideas!
  • Research/Studies on robotics education K-16
    Share your results.

Autonomous Robotics Showcase

A highlight of the conference is the Autonomous Robotics Showcase and Poster Session. The goal of the Showcase is to provide an opportunity for students and robot enthusiasts to display autonomous robot projects in a non-competitive environment and facilitate dialogue about robotics. Attendees enjoy viewing robotics projects and discussing ideas with their creators in a "science fair" environment.

Read more about how you can get involved in a GCER session here:

2012 GCER registration is now open!
Click here to register online.