Robotics in the Classroom
Robotics is an important component of computer science education. It exposes students to not just computational thinking, but important life skills such as creative thinking, tenacity, and teamwork. As the world becomes ever more digital, it is crucial for students to have a robust background in STEM education to be adaptable for the future that lies ahead. Robotics in particular, offers students an engaging way to learn and apply computer science and mechanical building skills to real-world applications.
Robotics can begin early in a student’s educational journey and grow in complexity as they gain new skills. SparkFun’s ecosystem allows for not only increasing complexity but the ability to learn beyond simply writing the code. Most of our kits allow students to build their robot, to allow for a greater understanding of how robots are physically constructed. The ability to both build and code creates a more engaging project, leads to deeper learning and helps students to see the full capability of robots.
Robotics Grade Progression
At SparkFun, we offer kits for students at any skill level, ranging from simple coding projects all the way through building bots and coding them to navigate difficult challenges.
Elementary School
A cost-effective solution to introduce younger students to the basics of robotics, the SparkFun micro:bot Kit for micro:bit can be used by students as young as fourth grade all the way through high school. This kit allows younger students to begin engaging with robotics through the usage of simplified, block-based coding or through text-based coding as their skills progress. For a more customized option, the moto:bit allows educators to design a skill-appropriate robot for their class.
Middle School
For middle school students, the SparkFun micro:bot Kit can continue to be utilized with students now assembling the robot and deepening their mechanical aptitude, as well integrating more complex coding challenges. Additionally, students can explore new types of projects with the Sphero RVR, which adds increased complexity to what a robot can do, and allows for numerous activities for year-round learning.
High School
To continue student’s understanding of robotics, SparkFun offers the SparkFun Inventor's Kit for RedBot as well as expansion kits for the Sphero RVR. Both the RedBot and RVR expansion kits offer the ability to have students handle more complex coding challenges suitable for higher grade levels. Students can develop a number of projects that have real-world applications, and can better prepare themselves for the future. And for educators delving into artificial intelligence, the SparkFun JetBot AI Kit Powered by NVIDIA Jetson Nano is an ideal option for advanced robotics study, particularly in CTE and engineering courses.
Higher Education
As students prepare themselves for a future including robotics, the SparkFun JetBot AI Kit Powered by NVIDIA Jetson Nano allows them to explore artificial intelligence. The kit allows students to build and program the bot, making it an excellent tool for hands-on learning and creating engaging challenges to help demonstrate the uses of robotics outside of the classroom.
