Coding Robotics And Engineering For Young Students

Coding, Robotics, and Engineering for Young Students builds foundational computer science and robotics skills and knowledge in bright Pre-K-grade 2 students. Originally developed as enrichment courses for Northwestern University's Center for Talent Development, this curriculum emphasizes active, hands-on, and collaborative learning. Students are challenged to learn computer science content, such as coding, and robotics and engineering concepts, as well as practice high-level academic skills, such as creative problem solving, computational thinking, and critical thinking. Instructional practices balance screen time with active, collaborative classroom engagement. Learning is deepened when students are challenged to navigate the transition from a virtual learning environment to a tangible learning environment. The lessons can be implemented as standalone enrichment experiences or as part of a coordinated scope and sequence that leads to higher level computer science and engineering studies. Grades Pre-K-2

Introduce young children to the building and programming of robots through playful, developmentally appropriate activities. Many early childhood professionals are unfamiliar with computer science, robotics, and engineering concepts. This user-friendly and accessible book gives teachers great ideas for engaging young children with 100 exciting hands-on computer science and engineering activities. The book can be easily included in a developmentally appropriate curriculum and offers a balance of adult-facilitated and child-centered activities. Ann Gadzikowski has more than twenty-five years of experience as a teacher and director of early childhood programs, and is the Early Childhood Coordinator for Northwestern University's Center for Talent Development and oversees the summer Leapfrog Program. Her book Creating a Beautiful Mess: Ten Essential Play Experiences for a Joyous Childhood won gold in the 2015 National Parenting Publications Awards.

This book describes recent approaches in advancing STEM education with the use of robotics, innovative methods in integrating robotics in school subjects, engaging and stimulating students with robotics in classroom-based and out-of-school activities, and new ways of using robotics as an educational tool to provide diverse learning experiences. It addresses issues and challenges in generating enthusiasm among students and revamping curricula to provide application focused and hands-on approaches in learning . The book also provides effective strategies and emerging trends in using robotics, designing learning activities and how robotics impacts the students’ interests and achievements in STEM related subjects. The frontiers of education are progressing very rapidly. This volume brought together a collection of projects and ideas which help us keep track of where the frontiers are moving. This book ticks lots of contemporary boxes: STEM, robotics, coding, and computational thinking among them. Most educators interested in the STEM phenomena will find many ideas in this book which challenge, provide evidence and suggest solutions related to both pedagogy and content. Regular reference to 21st Century skills, achieved through active collaborative learning in authentic contexts, ensures the enduring usefulness of this volume. John Williams Professor of Education and Director of the STEM Education Research Group Curtin University, Perth, Australia

Make learning about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fun in this colorful, robot-filled activity book! Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) are subjects crucial to children’s education. In these illustrated pages, your child will be immersed in the world of STEM through technology and robotics! Filled with activities such as mazes, spot the difference, drawing, puzzles, pattern identifying, quizzes, and more, this book will introduce your child to the fascinating science of robotics. While boys and girls think they’re just playing games and looking at fun infographics, actually they’ll be learning about different robot jobs, machinery, circuitry, coding, and more. With this new book in the STEM Starters for Kids series of educational workbooks, your child will not only be entertained for hours, but also be familiarized with robots and the STEM subjects that are important to his or her education and maybe even a future career. The books in this series aim to pique the interest of children in these areas of study, stress the importance of these subjects, and help encourage children who are interested to continue within these fields as they grow and learn. Introduce your child to STEM subjects today through STEM Starters for Kids: Robotics Activity Book!

A coding adventure about a brilliant inventor and her runaway robot, Rox's Secret Code aims to inspire the next generation of female leaders in STEM! Rox is happy to spend the whole day on her laptop inventing awesome robots, but her dad wants her to clean up! When the Chorebot she designs gets a mind of its own and tries to organize the whole city, Rox and her neighbor Amar race to recode Chorebot in time to save the day.

Over the last few years, increasing attention has been focused on the development of children’s acquisition of 21st-century skills and digital competences. Consequently, many education scholars have argued that teaching technology to young children is vital in keeping up with 21st-century employment patterns. Technologies, such as those that involve robotics or coding apps, come at a time when the demand for computing jobs around the globe is at an all-time high while its supply is at an all-time low. There is no doubt that coding with robotics is a wonderful tool for learners of all ages as it provides a catalyst to introduce them to computational thinking, algorithmic thinking, and project management. Additionally, recent studies argue that the use of a developmentally appropriate robotics curriculum can help to change negative stereotypes and ideas children may initially have about technology and engineering. The Handbook of Research on Using Educational Robotics to Facilitate Student Learning is an edited book that advocates for a new approach to computational thinking and computing education with the use of educational robotics and coding apps. The book argues that while learning about computing, young people should also have opportunities to create with computing, which have a direct impact on their lives and their communities. It develops two key dimensions for understanding and developing educational experiences that support students in engaging in computational action: (1) computational identity, which shows the importance of young people’s development of scientific identity for future STEM growth; and (2) digital empowerment to instill the belief that they can put their computational identity into action in authentic and meaningful ways. Covering subthemes including student competency and assessment, programming education, and teacher and mentor development, this book is ideal for teachers, instructional designers, educational technology developers, school administrators, academicians, researchers, and students.

Author Jorge Valenzuela lays out the foundational skills of computational thinking required for programming with robotics. Unlike other robotics books and curriculum, Rev Up Robotics takes a cross-curricular approach, showing educators how to begin incorporating robotics into their content area lessons and in conjunction with other subjects. You’ll get an overview of standards-based skills that can be covered in English language arts, math, science, social studies and robotics electives. Teachers also get tips for selecting the robot that works for them and for students, and details on the functions of gears, motors and sensors. Also included is a deep dive into more advanced topics like the intersections of computer science, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering with robotics. Finally, you’ll find advice for getting students involved with competitive robotics, and case studies that offer empirical evidence for using robotics successfully in instruction. The book: • Shows how to help students recognize and apply the four elements of computational thinking to familiar situations. • Provides a pathway from working with visual blocks to programming in C++. • Discusses building and programming robots, with tips for adding your own code and troubleshooting. • Demonstrates how to manipulate basic movement to better understand the functions of gears, motors and sensors. With activities and examples for grade levels K-8, teachers come away with easy-to-implement cross-curricular ideas to engage students in computer science and engineering activities.

Based on over a decade and a half of research, Designing Digital Experiences for Positive Youth Development aims to guide readers in the design of digital technologies to promote positive behaviors in children and teenagers.