By combining the powerful brain of the micro:bit V2 with its flexible robotic core and modular parts, the Hummingbird Bit can help you lead classroom STEAM experiences that are one par with teaching using some of the more extravagant robots out there. The kits are actually real affordable, however, and offer a ton of versatility and value for kids throughout the K-12 grades.
Students can use the Root rt0 without any prior coding experience or prior experience using their standard Root model. The rt0 is compatible with the iRobot Coding app, which students can access on iOS or Android devices as well as others. There’s also the online iRobot Code platform, which kids can use to practice programming without a physical robot.
Joining us in the broadcast from the Terrapin team were Bill Glass and Luis Noreiga, who led some insightful demos for attendees. If you have thought about using the Bee-Bot, Blue-Bot, or Tuff-Bot in your STEM teaching, we definitely recommend checking out the replay! You can learn all about the Terrapin robots, accessories, and their unique online coding emulators.
There is a huge deal of focus on coding in elementary school, and rightfully so but, this week, we wanted to go a little beyond the traditional classroom coding adventures that we love. Besides the always popular platforms, like Scratch and MakeCode, some more complex programming languages, like JavaScript, Python, and HTML, provide older kids with new opportunities.
Afterschool STEM programs and camps have been around for many years, but they are sometimes entirely for child care purposes. Recently, however, we’ve seen shifts in more kids actually wanting to participate in enrichment programs to continue developing various STEM skills outside of the school day. And, the best part is they often truly enjoy these STEM experiences.
The Dash Robot is designed for students who are six and older, making it a superb option for kids who have never tried robotics or coding. It allows all students to use block code to bring the robot’s actions to life on their desk or their screen. Whether you’re looking for good robots for students to use in afterschool clubs or coding in the classroom, the Dash is a top option!
When it comes to elementary coding experiences, Ozobot Evo projects, in particular, help educators facilitate STEAM learning that’s simple. Teachers can break up an Evo Classroom kit and distribute the components for kids to share in any educational setting. Plus, with the Ozobot Classroom LMS, assigning bots, tracking student progress, and accessing lessons is easy.
Chances are, if you’re any type of teacher these days, you hear the familiar word ‘grant’ thrown around quite a bit from friends, peers, or perhaps even administrators. Chances are, you may have even applied for a few of them, too. These days, it’s not uncommon for teachers to spend hours and hours of their free time perfecting applications and chasing many opportunities.
If you haven’t seen the full broadcast or you want to revisit some of the key topics we covered in the presentation, the full replay is still available. Some of the highlights include how the BirdBrain materials align to standards and offer a low floor and high ceiling for STEM education. As for leveraging the robots in SEL, we also discuss their close connections to those five pillars.
For students, learning to code is both essential and accessible. With many age-appropriate classroom coding solutions available, helping them to see the possibilities, benefits, and enjoyment of robotics and coding education is very much possible for instructors to accomplish. Plus, other benefits of CS education, like boosting creative problem solving skills, are extensive.
