By Lindsey Feth

A conversation with robotics trailblazer Jasmine Lawrence

Jasmine Lawrence is Product Manager at X, the moonshot factory, where she is deeply involved in The Everyday Robot Project. This innovative initiative aims to develop a groundbreaking learning robot—one with the potential to assist people in their daily lives as they learn and evolve.

Before joining X, Jasmine worked on significant projects at Facebook, including the Blood Donations and Portal teams, previously known as Building 8, where she served as a Technical Program Manager. Prior to her role at Facebook, she was the Technical Program Manager at SoftBank Robotics America. In this role, she led a diverse team in the creation of software for social, humanoid robots, showcasing her expertise in the field.

Jasmine’s educational background includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, with specializations in devices and artificial intelligence, earned from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Additionally, she holds a Master’s degree in Human-Centered Design & Engineering from the University of Washington, reflecting her commitment to combining technical expertise with user-centric design principles.

STEM Today: What advice would you give to those interested in pursuing STEM fields, particularly in robotics and artificial intelligence?

Jasmine Lawrence: I advise them to start getting hands-on experience with programming and creative problem-solving. Several organizations offer free online programming courses (like Code.org and Codecademy) where you can learn the basics and grow your skills through exciting projects and games. There are also several in-person boot camps and summer camps where you can join a community of other learners and sometimes even attain a certificate for a specific programming language or technology. This exposure can help you explore where your interests, strengths, and growth opportunities are. They can also help you make friends with others pursuing STEM.

ST: What do you see as the future of robotics in education, and how can students and educators use this tech?

Lawrence: Robotics in education is a strong tool for teaching computer science principles to students, starting from a very young age. It helps them bring the outcomes of their code into the real world, where they can see the impact of what they’ve created. In the future, I hope to see the costs of these learning platforms decline so that they become more accessible worldwide. Educators need more support to equip them with the context to facilitate this learning. I’ve noticed that Math and science teachers tend to carry the burden when STEM programs are introduced. In the future, I imagine free, supplemental education for K12 teachers to ensure these vital skills can reach the next generation

ST: Why is STEM education considered crucial for child development in today’s world?

Lawrence: STEM education is crucial because our world increasingly relies on technology to solve our toughest global and personal challenges. Even if a child does not pursue a career in STEM, STEM education can help children develop critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, and creativity. It can also help them learn how to work collaboratively and communicate effectively. Lastly, STEM education can shift children into a confident producer mindset rather than a laid-back consumer mindset. When equipped with the tools to create, they can take an active role in changing the world.

ST: What are some ways to make STEM education more engaging and accessible to children of all backgrounds?

Lawrence: To make STEM education more engaging, students should get hands-on experience with various STEM-related activities like robotics, not just coding. My high school offered an engineering program from Project Lead the Way, where we explored various engineering fields, from civil to electrical to aerospace. In these age-appropriate projects, we built bridges, rockets, and more! The curriculum drew on our experiences from other classes like art, English, and physics, and we realized that not all STEM roles leave you stuck in front of a computer writing code.

Reducing costs and increasing inclusion are how we can make STEM education accessible to more students. Quality STEM education is still limited to schools in higher-income zip codes. National efforts are needed to equip all schools with some level of access to STEM education programs and educator support.

ST: How can we work to promote gender diversity and inclusion in STEM education from a young age?

Lawrence: Our lack of gender diversity and inclusion is causing us to miss critical ideas and perspectives in today’s technology. To mitigate this, schools could have more female and BIPOC educators, STEM speakers, and role models leading STEM courses. This could also help underrepresented students see that STEM is a viable career path for them. Organizations like Girls Who Code, Black Girls Code, and Code 2040 are working to close gender and racial gaps in STEM. Collaborations between these organizations and schools that lack representation could bolster the support for underrepresented groups.

ST: How can schools and educational institutions better incorporate STEM so every child can get a great education?

Lawrence: Here are a few ways:

1. Provide more hands-on learning opportunities.
2. Make STEM education more engaging and accessible to children of all backgrounds.
3. Promote gender diversity and inclusion in STEM education from a young age.
4. Provide more support for STEM teachers.
5. Invest in STEM infrastructure and resources.
6. Partner with STEM/robotics organizations and businesses.
7. Create a culture of innovation and creativity.
8. Encourage students to think critically and solve problems.

Source

Robotics in Education: Preparing Students for a Tech-Driven World