Bring: All the robots and ipads Beebot mat – homemade Cue up Havens Rocks the Bots Video on 5 th grade robot research Video on 1-3 rd beebots Make sure video will play Bring clicker/dongle

Elementary Robots – What’s Not to Love? Terry Smith Havens School – Piedmont Entire presentation can be found here or on the Sched

Plan for Today Brief Introduction Why Robots? Meet the Robots They’re Cute but How are they Educational? Activities and Opportunities Final Questions Goal: Overview and Introduction to some low cost Robots for use in elementary classrooms and how to use them.

Some Quick Background Programmer, Systems Engineer, Project Manager 20+ years teaching coding to kids Classroom teacher – 5 th Grade Technology, Science, Math specialist District adopted CSTA standards 2 years ago Implemented 1 st -5 th grade coding curriculum last year with 400+ students NOW at STEAM-In.org Disclaimer

Why Robots?

Dash & Dot Probot – Robotic Car Ozobot Parrot Mini-drone Sphero Robots We Considered Thymio

Cubelets The Finch Newer robot finds

1.Record what you think about using robots on the padlet 2.Team - research your robot and record your results on the form 3.Create a Team slideshow to share your ideas with the class Instructions to 5 th Graders

When I asked the students pro’s and con’s… Word cloud of student padlet responses to ‘”Educational Pros and Cons of Robots?”

What I was thinking…. Developing skills and strategies students will need in the future and which are part of the Computer Science standards Develop Algorithmic and Computational Thinking Experience choosing technology wisely Problem solving best uses of technology Prototyping, testing, debugging Troubleshooting – identifying exact problems Finding workarounds Fluency in different types of coding languages and devices Communicating directions to other users Demonstrating new technology to other users

5 th Grade Classroom Presentation

Totally Inconclusive The Vote

Dash & Dot Probot – Robotic Car BeeBot Replaced Thymio because we had them and Thymio was expensive and least popular choice Ozobot Parrot Mini-drone Sphero Meet Our Robots

Robotics A Running Target

What we’ve learned so far In order of my personal preference

Dash & Dot Pro Sturdy Education focused Fun accessories (catapult, tow, lego, xylophone) Android & iOS Apps Lots of sensors and functions Lesson plans are building Blockly language + new Wonder App Wonder League - competition Con On the expensive side Source: Wonder WorkshopWonder Workshop Cost: Dash $150 Dot $50 + device to program Intro Video Intro Video 3:20

OzoBot Pro Inexpensive – no added device needed Uses a completely different form of programming – color code 2.0 version uses Blockly Can experiment easily Con Limited use Challenging to get to do what you want Some markers don’t work – come out with their own Source: AmazonAmazon Lessons Cost: Ozobot 1.0 $50 Ozobot 2.0 $60 + device to program Demo VideoDemo Video 1:30

Sphero & BB8 Pro Sturdy – water and pet proof Fun accessories (ramps, bridges, terrain park) Android & IOS Apps Tickle + Sprk languages Growing Education community Con ‘toy’ focus – lots of games Functions a bit limited Source: Sphero Spark for EducationSpark for Education Cost: $130 + device to program - BB-8 $150 Demo Video 2:30

Thymio Pro Versatile - over 20 sensors, 40 lights, 2 motors, and LEGO integration. Multiple programming modes Unique visual programming language – ASEBA Education focus – but mostly outside US Con Expensive Limited US distribution Source: TechKidsTechKids Cost: $199 plus laptop to program(not Chrombook compatible) Demo Video 3:27

Beebot & Blue Bot Pro Sturdy & kid friendly Easy accessibility - buttons Android & IOS Apps + Terrapin Logo for Blue Bot Education focus – but mostly outside US Con Expensive for what it does Functions limited Source: Terrapin Terrapin Cost: Beebot $90 - Blue Bot $120 + device to program $150 with Logo software Demo Video 4:22

Pro Cool factor It flies Android & IOS Apps Tickle language Con 8 minute battery life Hassles with the software Source: AmazonAmazon Cost: $75-$100 + device to program + extra batteries and charger Demo Video :48 Parrot Mini-drone Demo video 1:38

Probot Pro Sturdy Drawing capability Direct button programming Terrapin Logo can be used Education focus – but mostly outside US Con Expensive for what it does Functions limited Button/code interface feels outdated Source: Terrapin Terrapin Cost: $130 - $160 with Logo language + device to program Demo Video 8:00

Cubelets Pro Really different format – way to think about ‘code’ Can be coded with Bluetooth Con Pricey Source: Cost: $329 for set of 12 Source: CubeletsCubelets Video Link

The Finch Pro Versatile set of sensors and functions Various levels of programming Education focus Con Tethered with USB cord Source: Cost: $99 plus laptop to program Birdbrain TechnologiesSource: Video link Video link 3:00

Got the Robots – Now What?

Robot Roles…. Exploration, Experimentation and Discovery Pointer Actors Mathematical tools Venue for coding Science Simulations

Follow your Algorithm Create A ‘Quick Start Guide’ for your robot Create a demo to teach others how your robot works Let the kids figure it out…

Insert video of 5 th robotics projects Click on image for video

Ozobot Challenge – No code at first… Reverse Engineering

1 st - 3 rd Grade Beebot Sequence Free exploration – Can you figure out how these buttons work?

How big is a Beebot step?

Get the Bee to the Flower and Back 1.Freeform using measuring stick 2.With grids 3.Add obstacles Video Link

Beebot Story Challenges Math Games

Sphero Target Practice Teams of students – taking turns coding X marks the spot on the floor Some prep time Then set a time limit Closest robot to the center of the X when time is up wins Robot ‘Charades’ How does a ‘mad’ or ‘sad’ or ‘giddy’ robot act?

Mazes & Obstacle Courses A great way to practice measurement and angles Both building and running

Robot Olympics – Girls Science Club put it on for the primary kids. Joaquin Miller School - Oakland

Dash & Dot Competition Activities Problem solving challenges…

Jackson Pollock Paintings done with Sphero

Solar System Model – Using Sphero – done by 3 rd Graders

Team Coding Target Practice

Make them Dance Adds timing to angles, speed, direction… 100 Dancing Robots Come to Life Making of 100 Dancing Robots Video Mexican Hat Dance

Elementary Robots – What’s Not to Love? Terry Smith Havens School – Piedmont Entire presentation can be found here and on CUE Event site