There are so many classroom robots that teachers could access and share with students—even those in the elementary grades. Whether they’ve tried coding in kindergarten or they’re just getting started, these are some of the top elementary robotics kits to consider for your classroom. From the Dash Robot to the Finch 2.0 and the Marty V2, here’s why we like them.
Although DJI recently discontinued the Tello EDU and RoboMaster drones, educational drones offer a solid path to teaching programming and piloting skills in your classroom. We spent time with our new addition, the CoDrone EDU, learning to fly and program. Compatible with Blockly and Python, the CoDrone EDU is a top coding companion for kids in a range of grades.
Unruly Splats are interactive buttons designed for students to stomp, jump, and play upon. With pre-coded, standards-aligned activities and their own custom games, students get out of their seats while learning programming principles and SEL skills like working together. Play games for any subject, including math, ELL, special ed, art, physical education, and more!
Earth Day is the perfect holiday to apply the concepts of STEAM education and project-based learning. After all, the central goal of each opportunity is for your students to apply creative and innovative thinking while working to solve real-world community problems. Plus, Earth Day classroom activities can help all educators highlight the critical importance of going green.
Providing our teachers support involves different approaches for different situations. As teachers face novel challenges from in-person learning, new technologies, and more, it is essential to give them the tangible help they need to thrive. Self-care, social-emotional strategies, collaboration, and material resources can all help to alleviate teacher burnout.
Even with STEM tools and active learning, students oftentimes fail to feel fulfilled. With career and technical education, however, they’re able to gain skills in areas that can truly help them. CTE is proven to increase positive career outcomes, prepare students for college, and even improve success in other academic areas—not just STEM.
Like the original databot Robot, the databot 2.0 is square in shape but it is not a perfect cube unlike that original model. The newer databot is shorter in height, making it a much more compact robotics tool. More importantly, it’s also outfitted with 16 powerful on-board sensors that students can use to measure anything from light levels to air pressure and humidity.
As drones continue to serve as notably valuable tools within our economy, creating educational experiences around their uses, applications, and new capabilities have proven to be valuable for students. Perhaps the best part is how drone education fits under many different umbrellas and educators can use the Discover Drones solutions and curricula in STEM and CTE.
Recent issues with student attention have inspired teachers to incorporate more audiovisual elements, like podcasts and videos, into the classroom. Research shows that interacting with videos in class improves students’ engagement and retention of STEM content, as well as increasing class satisfaction. Look inside for tips on using video elements in the classroom.
For educators, especially those who may be new to technology and STEM in general, the Makey Makey is an excellent starting point for your lessons. Besides immediately recognizing its catchy name, the Makey Makey is an extremely appealing teaching tool that boosts engagement and maximizes instruction. What does it help you teach? Just about anything you want.
