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.
App-enabled and Bluetooth-connected, the Sphero Mini is similar to the Sphero SPRK+, but brings some new and exciting features to the playing field. Students, for example, can drive the Mini using different modes, such as joystick, tilt, slingshot, or even face drive, which allows them to control the robot using their own facial expressions!
The Sphero Mini is exceptional at introducing students to topics like physics, problem solving, creativity, collaboration, and coding. Unlike other robots, however, the Sphero Mini is completely round. This allows it to roll around—sometimes pretty quickly—and enables kids to control both its movements and speed with code.
This cool looking car—the GoPiGo Robot from Dexter Industries—is a great tool for helping students advance their coding skills. It’s buildable, so they get the engineering aspect of STEM education and, once they have it built, it’s programmable over a simple Wi-Fi connection! The single GoPiGo kits are great for children at home, at school, or in a camp.
If you’ve ever explored our site (if you haven’t, now is a pretty good time), you’ve likely seen hundreds of different EdTech tools, including some for every single age group and ones that cover just about every STEM area imaginable. We’ve got a gift for each of the 15 days of techXmas and, hopefully, you can learn something, too.
Most of the time, the best part of hands-on learning is the collaboration that comes with it. Thanks to the classroom packs recently added by Wonder Workshop, that remains the case. Over the last few years, the Dash and Dot Robots have helped students code, create, and become Future Ready with their engaging activities.
The meeperBOT 2.0 is an affordable, programmable, and LEGO-compatible robot recommended for kids aged five and up that features a simple design but packs some great capabilities. Kids can drive, program, and video their bot using three different drive modes and various command functions in the meeperBOT app.
Coding is arguably far and away the most important skill that our students need to learn and the structure of today’s economy certainly supports that belief. It’s not that simply the highest-paying jobs require workers to be proficient in coding—it’s even starting to trend towards the entire workforce needing coding skills in some form or another.
The SPRK+ is one of Sphero’s latest additions to their seriously cool line of robots. Although only the size of a baseball, it is packed with educational power. When paired with the Sphero Edu app, the opportunities for learning are boundless. Kids have the option to write code in either a Blockly or path drawing environment.
Since it is Halloween and all, we got to thinking about how teachers could celebrate with technology. Sure, they could build something to scare their students, but that could take time and we’re all about helping teachers save time. We thought the next best thing would be adding some appropriately colored robots to the fold.
There’s no shortage of interactive surprises with this cool new robot. Designed for children aged 11 and up, the Cue is ideal for introducing artificial intelligence and helping kids advance their coding skills. With this inviting robot and the Cue app from Wonder Workshop, students play games, chat, control, and program the Cue in Blockly or JavaScript.
