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Robots and tangibles are cool! There are lots of free coding environments, but robots can help make the coding concrete. Only you as a teacher can decide if the cost for tangibles has value.
Here we have critiqued a few newer robots.
Activities:
Check out Root's online coding environment and try the tutorials for Bump Drive and Forest Adventure Activities. Note: Try clicking level 2 or level 3 on the bottom left once you start exploring the code!
Resources:
The iRobot® Root® coding robot makes learning to code easy and natural in any environment, at home or at school. Children can code their Root® robot to draw artwork, play music, respond to touch, light, and sound, and more, all while exploring the fundamentals of robotics.
No matter your students' experience with coding or robotics, the innovative, free iRobot® Coding app makes coding easy with 3 Learning Levels. Begin with graphical, drag-and-drop code before advancing to hybrid code and finally, full-text code. Using tangible, hands-on experiences to teach coding and strengthen computational thinking skills, Root® makes a perfect addition to any school or learning environment.
Coding Concepts: Sequencing, spatial reasoning
Affordance
Learn how iRobot’s Roomba robot vacuum works with block coding
Cross-curricular activities using visual arts, music, storytelling.
Brings conceptual coding into the realm of functional coding.
Simple enough with increasing complexity that it can be used for all ages, pre-readers and up
Limitations
The educational level model is $200 USD not including premium educational level membership fees.
Meet k8, your robotics kit for learning STEM and Computational Thinking. Designed to be an accessible entry point into the world of robotics, k8 is a great educational tool to promote problem-solving, creativity, and digital literacy in an easy and engaging way. k8 is the best friend of new explorers in the wonderful world of robotics.
Activity:
Resources:
Affordance
Relatively inexpensive, complete robotics kit for a micro:bit
Numerous activities to code after the robot is complete
Limitations
micro:bit not included but is a fairly inexpensive additional purpose
Requires an extra micro:bit for a remote control
SMARS Robot Project (Screwless Modular Assemblable Robotic System)
Higher-level makers can create their very own modular robot with an Arduino Uno microcontroller, a small number of electronics and 3D printed parts. Students will learn skills with electronics including building circuits, using motors and soldering electrical components. Expand on the completed robots with design challenges that drive students to design and 3D print add-ons for their robots to accomplish specific tasks.
Activity:
Explore the code that makes the SMARS robot move in the online Arduino coding environment.
Resources:
Free 3D printable SMARS add-ons and modifications at Thingiverse
SMARS Fan Site that includes step by step tutorials, troubleshooting and modding resources
Tutorial for using a micro:bit controller in place of an Arduino (video)
Affordance
Materials are relatively inexpensive.
Includes various aspects of STEM learning as students work with 3D models, soldering electronics as well as coding the microcontroller (among other tasks).
Limitations
Requires a 3D printer and the skills to use it.
Will require teachers to acquire various electronic parts to build the robots.
You may also want to explore the possibilities with the inexpensive Micro:Bit
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