Elementary Robots – What’s Not to Lov
Terry Smith
Entire presentation can
be found here
www.STEAM-In.org
Havens School – Piedmont USD
terrysmith@steam-in.org
@steamterry
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
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Brief Introduction
Why Robots?
Meet the Robots
They’re Cute but How are they Educational?
• Activities and Opportunities
• Final Questions
Some Quick Background
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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
Parrot Mini-drone
Ozobot
Thymio
Sphero
Probot – Robotic Car
Instructions to 5th Graders
1. Record what you think
about using robot 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
When I asked the students pro’s and con’s…
Word cloud of student padlet responses to ‘”Educational Pros and Cons of Rob
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
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5th Grade Classroom Presentation
The Vote
Totally Inconclusive
Meet Our Robots
Dash & Dot
Ozobot
Sphero
Parrot Mini-drone
BeeBot
Replaced Thymio because
we had them and Thymio
was expensive and least
popular choice
Probot – Robotic Car
Robotics
A Running Target
What we’ve learned so far
In order of my personal preference
Dash & Dot
Cost: Dash $150 Dot $50 + device to program
Pro
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Sturdy
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Education focused
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Fun accessories
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Con
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On the expensive side
(catapult, tow, lego, xylophone)
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Android & iOS Apps
Lots of sensors and
functions
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Lesson plans are building
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Blockly language + new
Wonder App
• Source:
Wonder
League
Wonder
Workshop-
Intro Video 3:20
OzoBot
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
Source: Amazon
Con
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Limited use
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Challenging to get
to do what you want
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Some markers don’t
work – come out
with their own
Demo Video 1:30
Sphero
Cost: $130 + device to program
Pro
Con
• Sturdy – water and pet • ‘toy’ focus – lots of
proof
games
• Fun accessories
• Functions a bit limited
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(ramps, bridges, terrain
park)
Android & IOS Apps
Tickle + Sprk
languages
Source: Sphero Spark for Education
Demo Video 2:30
Beebot
& Blue Bot
Cost: Beebot $90 - Blue Bot $120 + device to program
Pro
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Sturdy & kid friendly
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Easy accessibility - buttons
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Android & IOS Apps +
Terrapin Logo for Blue Bot
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Education focus – but
mostly outside US
Source:
Terrapin
Con
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Expensive for what it does
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Functions limited
Demo Video 4:22
Thymio
Cost: $199 plus laptop to program
Pro
Con
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Versatile set of sensors
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Expensive
and functions
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Limited US distribution
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Unique visual programming
language – ASEBA
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Lego connections
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Education focus – but
mostly outside US
Source: TechKids
Demo Video 3:27
Probot
Cost: $130 - $160 with Logo language + device to program
Pro
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Sturdy
Drawing capability
Direct button programming
Terrapin Logo can be used
Education focus – but
mostly outside US
Source:
Terrapin
Con
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Expensive for what it does
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Functions limited
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Button/code interface
feels outdated
Demo Video 8:00
Parrot Mini-drone
Cost: $75-$100 + device to program + extra batteries and charger
Pro
• Cool factor
• It flies
• Android & IOS Apps
• Tickle language
Source: Amazon
Con
• 8 minute battery life
• Hassles with the
software
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
1. Freeform using measuring stick
2. With grids
3. 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 primar
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
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 Lov
Terry Smith
Entire presentation can
be found here
www.STEAM-In.org
Havens School – Piedmont USD
terrysmith@steam-in.org
@steamterry