Elementary Robots – What’s Not to Love? Terry Smith www.STEAM-In.org Havens School – Piedmont USD terrysmith@steam-in.org @steamterry Entire presentation can be found here

Google Expeditions – Happy to Share My Experience Video Link

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

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

Havens Rocks the Bots https://animoto.com/play/2ZqcEkdGIVVkRY9NGJ3XJw

Why Robots?

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

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

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

5th Grade Classroom Presentation

The Vote Totally Inconclusive

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

Robotics A Running Target

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

Dash & Dot Pro Sturdy Con Education focused On the expensive side Cost: Dash $150 Dot $50 + device to program 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 Intro Video 3:20 Source: Wonder Workshop

OzoBot Pro Inexpensive – no added device needed Cost: Ozobot 1.0 $50 Ozobot 2.0 $60 + device to program 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: Amazon Demo Video 1:30

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

Beebot & Blue Bot Pro Con Sturdy & kid friendly Cost: Beebot $90 - Blue Bot $120 + device to program 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 Demo Video 4:22

Thymio Pro Con Versatile set of sensors and functions Expensive Cost: $199 plus laptop to program Pro Versatile set of sensors and functions Unique visual programming language – ASEBA Lego connections Education focus – but mostly outside US Con Expensive Limited US distribution Source: TechKids Demo Video 3:27

Probot Pro Con Sturdy Expensive for what it does Drawing capability Cost: $130 - $160 with Logo language + device to program 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 Demo Video 8:00

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

Got the Robots – Now What?

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

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

Ozobot Challenge – No code at first…

1st - 3rd 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 Freeform using measuring stick With grids Add obstacles Video Link

Beebot Story Challenges Math Games

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 3rd Graders

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

Elementary Robots – What’s Not to Love? Terry Smith www.STEAM-In.org Havens School – Piedmont USD terrysmith@steam-in.org @steamterry Entire presentation can be found here