Starting with teaching skills like creative problem solving, persistence, and collaboration, merging these two key elements of education can really help students learn to enjoy the productive struggles they’ll likely face in a tech-driven world. So, we’re exploring how teachers can combine SEL, EdTech, and the right attitudes to help kids become well-rounded problem solvers.
The EdSketch add-on for coding with the Edison Robot is a really low-tech STEAM accessory and one of the latest additions to our store. Like each of the EdCreate Packs, it’s a super engaging and beneficial expansion kit that helps you scale up any Edison Robot lesson. And, both of those EdSketch products (the EdSketch Bundle and EdSketch Pens) are now on our store.
Using the NAO Robot V6 to teach programming in middle or high school is very effective and it is also very valuable in helping educators connect with students who may learn differently. For these reasons (and more), the NAO V6 is great for helping both K–12 and higher education instructors facilitate innovative and high-quality STEM-based learning opportunities.
Among other updates to the databot 2.0, it has a more powerful processor, a drag-and-drop coding platform, and some new links to machine learning. Robert gave a super informative overview of the databot 2.0 and we could definitely feel that excitement from the educators in attendance—many of whom immediately saw educational value in this data collection tool.
Unlike with the previous NAO V6, the AI Edition is more suited for students in higher education or any who have enrolled in CTE pathways programs in high school. It is designed to help these students explore a variety of more advanced technology concepts in addition to the crucial SEL connections educators could establish using the previous NAO Robot versions.
While STEM learning wasn’t always top priority in the pandemic-disrupted years, some educators continued doing their best to provide students with these opportunities in different learning environments. And, in that time, we have seen how many top classroom EdTech tools also double as beneficial STEM toys for individual exploration. So, here are a few of our favorites.
When it comes to both programming and power, the Tuff–Bot is among the most powerful educational robotics tools. It has four oversized wheels with high-quality tread that allow it to travel over a variety of indoor and outdoor surfaces. And, though it is similar to the Bee–Bot and Blue–Bot Robots, a key difference is that students can create much more precise programs.
Since it’s a Scratch-compatible robot, the Marty V2 is super accessible for students with different CS experience levels. Scratch is a graphical coding language, which means your students don’t necessarily need to have prior experience with coding to program their Marty. Then, there’s its Scratch Jr. and Python compatibility—making the Marty V2 viable in all K-8 grades.
Within the Blue–Bot app, there are two different modes: explore mode and challenge mode. Using either mode, kids can access the same directional buttons they’ve used with the Bee–Bot along with a few new features, like 45-degree turns and digital capabilities. Read on to learn how this slightly more advanced early elementary robotics tool can impact STEM learning.
From kindergarten through high school, coding helps all students develop real-world hard and soft skills—even if they are not planning on pursuing a computer science career. Plus, getting started isn’t intimidating either and, in fact, introducing programming often involves some extremely simple CS tools in kindergarten before working in those with more STEM possibilities.
