Empowering Girls in Robot Programming by Integrating the Video-Sharing Social Networking Service into Workshop Designs

Abstract

The underrepresentation of females in mechanical engineering highlights the need for educational strategies that engage girls in this field. This study aimed to design a robot programming workshop tailored to girls’ interests by integrating engaging media technologies. Drawing on the content creation process of video-sharing social networking services, especially TikTok, four emotional components were incorporated into the workshop: Attachment to the robot, Attraction to the theme, a sense of Achievement in the work, and opportunities for Approval. The workshop was implemented with female teenagers, and the results showed a significant increase in intrinsic motivation, with a particularly large increase in confidence. These findings suggest that offering creative autonomy and opportunities for visible self-expression can transform initial interest into sustained engagement. This study contributes to educational media practices by demonstrating how media technology can be effectively integrated to enhance girls’ motivation in robot programming.