This course is designed to provide students with hands-on experience in a variety of STEM-related fields, focusing on robotics. The course is structured around collaborative project work, where students contribute to the development of robotics projects that culminate in hosting a high school robotics competition in the spring.

Exams and Papers:
There are no traditional exams or lengthy research papers in this course. Instead, the primary assessments are based on practical deliverables related to the projects students work on. These include presentations, project proposals, and documentation updates, and knowledge transfer within the organization.

Attendance Policy:
Attendance is crucial for success in this course. Students are expected to attend both weekly worksessions on Wednesdays and Saturdays. A total of 17 out of 26 worksessions must be attended to pass the course, and students are required to stay in close contact with their project manager if they need to miss any sessions. Additionally, there are two major events—PiE Readiness Review and Fall Competition—that require full-day attendance. Missing more than one event or excessive absences from worksessions can put a student’s ability to pass the course at risk.

Additional Requirements:
Students are also expected to contribute to the PiE community by supporting events and completing homework assignments, such as Wiki updates and surveys. These tasks are critical not only for grading but also for ensuring the smooth operation and success of the PiE projects and events.

Overall, the course emphasizes active participation, teamwork, and the practical application of skills over traditional academic assessments.

The course operates on a first-come, first-served basis, with no formal application process or interviews required for enrollment. This approach aligns with PiE’s philosophy that every UC Berkeley student has something valuable to contribute, regardless of their background or experience level.