Morano, Martina (Università Politecnica delle Marche), Screpanti, Laura (Università Politecnica delle Marche), Castagna, Benedetta (Università Politecnica delle Marche), Cesaretti, Lorenzo (TALENT s.r.l.), Scaradozzi, David (Università Politecnica delle Marche)

AI-Enhanced Chatbot for Student Support in Robotics and Control Education

Scheduled for presentation during the Regular Session "Networked systems" (WeCC), Wednesday, June 11, 2025, 17:10−17:30, Room RUBIS

2025 33rd Mediterranean Conference on Control and Automation (MED), June 10-13, 2025, Tangier, Morocco

This information is tentative and subject to change. Compiled on December 14, 2025

Abstract

The introduction of control theory in education, beginning in primary school, is an essential step toward preparing students for 21st-century challenges. Control theory’s inclusion in STEAM education is critical as a foundational element of technological and engineering advancements. Teaching these concepts to young learners requires innovative methods that balance accessibility, engagement, and adaptability. This study integrates an AI-enhanced chatbot to support Educational Robotics activities with the potential to create digital twins of learning classrooms. A total of 39 primary school students participated in the first experimental session. Questionnaire responses revealed high levels of engagement and interest, with the majority of students expressing enthusiasm for the chatbot as a companion. Finally, by leveraging data from AI-student interactions, the proposed infrastructure can model individual learning paths and classroom dynamics, enabling precise interventions and dynamic insights. This capability holds the potential not only to enhance educational outcomes but also to support teachers by providing real-time feedback on student progress, enabling them to adapt their instructional strategies effectively, and providing a scalable framework for advancing control education and STEAM learning.