The Root Robot by iRobot Education is regularly among the most versatile educational robotics devices. With its three levels of coding and something for all students—from pre-readers up to veteran programmers—within their iRobot Coding platform, instructors can access impactful STEAM projects, incorporate new coding concepts, and boost students’ CS development.
Although it’s a more advanced robotics tool, the Create 3 is certainly viable for any classroom. The biggest differentiator between the Create 3 and the Root Robots comes with its programming functionalities, which are almost entirely centered on text-based programming in Python but teachers could also, however, use it to introduce students to the world of ROS 2.
The compact and affordable Terrapin Robot Sensor allows students to add audio feedback and increase interactivity of their Bee–Bot coding activities or Blue–Bot experiments. It’s really easy to use and provides teachers with a great next step as they start expanding robotics for elementary students, bolstering SEL connections, and introducing new types of technology.
As learning initiatives evolve and adapt to better serve students in the 21st century or, in recent years, better allow for productive learning experiences from anywhere, rest assured we’re always doing our best to gauge how we can help. We’ve even created a bunch of useful content for school leaders, classroom teachers, librarians, and various education professionals.
There truly is an endless number of elements to computer science and, as time has gone on, educational robotics solutions have evolved to help our teachers illustrate so many key coding concepts with various avenues for students to develop these skills. So, while some are designed for EarlyEd students (as early as Pre–K), others are complex enough for high school.
The Ozobot Bit Robot was a longtime go-to STEM solution for teaching all about coding, robotics, computational thinking, and problem solving. Now that the Bit has been retired for a few years, however, you may want to try to upgrade. Its successor, the Ozobot Evo, continues to enable educators to teach CS lessons with its significant upgrades, like Bluetooth capability.
The mBot-S is one elementary robotics tool that’s perfect for students who want to build a robot before coding. For any educators throughout the K–8 grades, it’s a great tool for incorporating STEAM experiences into activities that highlight creative development as kids enjoy valuable experience with engineering and collaborating while building a real robot from scratch.
There are typically two primary options for younger kids (or older students) to get started with coding: either physical tools or digital tools. Most of our expertise involves the physical coding tools, including educational robotics kits, circuitry solutions, or even programmable drones. Especially following the remote learning era, however, there are also strictly virtual platforms.
Students in Pre–K, kindergarten, and up to first or second grade could use the Bee-Bot screen-free or mix in digital coding once they’re ready for new challenges. It’s simple coding system features directional buttons, allowing younger children to explore programming right on their classroom floors as they experience age-appropriate STEAM adventures in early education.
Similar in both appearance and functionality to the original Root Robot, the Root rt0 allows educators to deliver hands-on STEAM experiences that are practical and relevant. And, although they do look similar, there are several key differences teachers should know. Once you are up to speed, however, it’s a fantastic addition to coding lessons throughout the K–12 grades.
