A Robotics Club as a Strategy to Integrate Teaching, Research, and Community Engagement: Early Results

• Igor Victor Rodrigues Silva IFMG
• Lorena Nunes Silva IFMG
• Eduardo Lemes Silva IFMG
• Diogo Sampaio César Souza IFMG
• Carlos Dias da Silva Júnio IFMG
• Lívia De Maria C. M. Soares IFMG
• Elias J. R. Freitas IFMG

Resumo

This paper presents the experience of the Robotics Club EPIIBOTS at the Federal Institute of Minas Gerais - Campus Ibirité, focusing on its integration of teaching, research, and community engagement in 2024 and 2025. Through practical activities with LEGO EV3 and Arduino, the club promotes technical training and student leadership. Its research efforts include participation in academic events and publications, while extension actions target digital inclusion through workshops for socially vulnerable youth. Using a qualitative case study approach, the work analyzes how such initiatives contribute to technical education, scientific engagement, and social impact in public vocational institutions.

Palavras-chave: Training, Leadership, Conferences, Production, Regulation, Problem-solving, Sustainable development, Robots, Programming profession, Monitoring, Educational Robotics, Teaching, Community Engagement, Student leadership, Technical Training