Dr. Yang Received AIM Seed Grant for Innovative AI and Robotics Project

https://today.umd.edu/aim-seed-grants-support-22-ai-research-projects

Exciting news! Dr. Chunyan Yang, Associate Professor in Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education at the University of Maryland, has been awarded an Artificial Intelligence (AI) research seed grant through the Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Institute at Maryland (AIM). This innovative project, "Co-Learning Code and Mind: Integrating AI With Transformative Social and Emotional Learning for Diverse Youth Through Tangible Robotics," aims to foster collaboration and learning among middle school students, including neurodiverse youth.

In partnership with Assistant Professor Dr. Huaishu Peng from Computer Science and UMIACS, Dr. Yang will engage students in Montgomery County through hands-on experiences, allowing them to co-design, co-build, and co-program robots. This initiative not only supports transformative educational experiences but also emphasizes inclusivity, accessibility, and social-emotional growth.

The project collaborates closely with two dedicated nonprofit organizations—the AOE Robotics Club and the Special Education Equal Development Society—to ensure meaningful community involvement and sustainable impact.

This grant highlights Dr. Yang’s commitment to innovative, inclusive, and impactful research, aligning perfectly with AIM’s mission to advance responsible AI research through accessibility, social justice, sustainability, and learning.

Congratulations to Dr. Yang and the entire team on this remarkable achievement! For more information: https://today.umd.edu/aim-seed-grants-support-22-ai-research-projects