Some of the most popular paths and effective approaches to preparing students for their future involve using robotics tools. A significant subsection of STEM education, coding robots and other types of programmable devices enable a large percentage of the STEAM learning that occurs in our schools. Using educational robotics tools, students from Pre-K to college can develop key coding skills. This is largely because, among these various robot kits, many are compatible with various programming languages. So, beginning in Pre-K, a child might use the Cubetto Robot in screen-free coding activities. Then, they might move on to the Bee-Bot or Blue-Bot for CS experiences that are slightly more complex. And, by the time they're in kindergarten or first grade, they have a legitimate foundation and they're ready to continue developing fluencies in coding, problem solving, and even computational thinking.
One reason robotics in education is so effective is due to various advances in robotics equipment for schools. Beyond introducing the absolute basics of coding early on (and without a screen), students can then progress to one of the most basic forms of coding, which you might know as Blockly. So many robotics tools incorporate the Blockly coding language along with their corresponding programming environment. In fact, the Ozobot Evo, Root Robot, Edison Robot, and Dash Robot are among the most popular elementary robotics tools. These help children build on coding and technology knowledge as they prepare for the next step—text programming. In text coding, they can use tools like the databot 2.0, NAO Robot, and most of the others we've mentioned. And, through these experiences, they can develop STEM skills in a tangible way while using robotics tools to do so.
Last week, we were fortunate to be able to sponsor one of the sessions of Wonder Workshop’s Virtual Summit. We provided a raffle prize for the ‘Coding Activities for Elementary Students’ session led by fourth grade teacher and Wonder Workshop ambassador, Jasmine Saab, who did a fantastic job of educating, informing, and intriguing the audience.
Starting as an iOS-exclusive robot, Root has just recently implemented an online coding platform which can be accessed on most major devices! With iRobot’s online coding platform, students don’t even need the physical Root to practice coding! Keep reading if you want to learn more about how students can code at home with Root’s Virtual SimBot.
Modeled off of the popular and inclusive Sphero Mini Robot, their Mini Golf Kit comes with a custom, redesigned Sphero Mini that looks like a real golf ball—and students can drive, program, and play with it in all kinds of ways as they try to sink their own hole-in-one! Keep reading to learn more about the simplicity of the Sphero Mini,
Our Wonder Workshop friends revealed the new, virtual environment within which children can program the Dash Robot (available in May)! While that’s all extremely exciting, we are also very excited to be sponsoring one of the upcoming virtual PD sessions. It will be hosted by Jasmine Saab, who is a longtime fourth grade teacher, and it’s taking place on April
With so much data filling our world—and the immediate environments around us—it can be hard to conceptualize just how much there is to explore. With the databot, students can do just that. This tiny cube fits in the palms of their hands and helps them explore the hidden world of data in an incredibly powerful way using a dozen on-board
For a limited time, we’re excited to be able to offer some of the best Wonder Workshop robotics kits at discounted prices for educators. Among the featured items include classroom kits for teaching with both the Dash and Cue with savings as high as 20 percent! Overall, 10 of the Wonder Workshop kits are being discounted, but only for a
Modular Robotics’ Cubelets are a classroom and makerspace favorite thanks to their low entry point and high ceiling. Students are initially attracted to the block shape as well as the easy time they have with connecting the blocks together and remain engaged thanks to the progression of programming options Cubelets provides.
When paired with the BOLT, writing code in the Sphero Edu app proved easy thanks to the step-by-step tutorials and detailed videos of the process. The coding levels offer a progressive experience, allowing students with varying programming experience to experiment, get creative, and learn new STEM skills with BOLT!
The RVR is the first Sphero robot that can drive over practically any surface and be programmed and customized to inspire creativity in students. It’s outfitted with an expansion port and on-board power supply that allows students to build onto their robot with littleBits or other third-party hardware, like the micro:bit or Raspberry Pi.
The Ozobot Evo offers one of the best introductions for young students to learn the foundations of coding without the need for a screen and can help them build towards learning other programming concepts by first mastering block coding. Read on to see how their class packs make it even better.
