GLASSBORO Though Nikita Iltchenko is a biochemistry major, on Friday he showed off a computer science-based design a flying robot for Rowan Universitys 15th Annual STEM Student Research Symposium.

As part of an independent study program with three other students math major Eva Guido, biology major Nick Persicketti and computer science major Tara Crittenden Iltchenko worked with computer science professor Jennifer Kay to learn about programming robots. Though the group started off working with rover robots, when they attended a conference in North Carolina and saw a professors flying robot, the students knew they had to make their own.

After a couple of weeks, we had convinced the computer science department to generously buy us this robot, said Iltchenko, 21, of Harrison Township. And then we began trying to get it to follow tags. Now, were trying to get it to follow two tags at the same time. If it can center itself between the two tags, it could go through a hula hoop or a tunnel. This robot can also recognize blobs or any items of a certain color, so our ultimate goal is to get it to recognize objects in the environment and react to them.

Guido, 22, of Cape May Courthouse, said shes happy with the progress the group has made so far.

When we first got the robot, we had to figure it all out from the most basic commands, she said. Right now were focused on getting it through that hula hoop, and then well take it a step further. As a math major, this is rewarding because I actually get to see it work.

Persicketti, 19, of West Deptford Township, said the project with the flying robot will be ongoing.

Every time we finish one task, well find something better that we want it to do, he said.

Kay said she thinks the robot is a really cool application of computer science and was excited to work with students from different backgrounds.

Once you have the right tools and bring in motivated people, its impressive what they can do in a semester, she said. Its a great project for a computer scientist or any smart scientist.

Across the room, biology major Samantha Musumeci explained the reproductive capabilities of the pea aphid.

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Rowan University STEM Student Research Symposium featured budding engineers, chemists, biologists and more