A low-cost mobile robot for STEM subjects

Abstract

STEM areas (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) are continuously growing but the number of technical workers do not accompany that growth. As the 21st century brings new challenges, students should be prepared for an increasingly complex life and work environments that will privilege proficiency in Learning and Innovation Skills that include Creativity and Innovation, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Communication and Collaboration. Also, the need to continuously explore new pedagogical practices in teaching and learning creates an opportunity to build new contents by balancing a stable and tested curriculum with new tools that stimulate creativity, allowing students to better understand the world they live in. This article describes the development of an educational robotics kit, aimed at children and teens from 8 to 18 years old, meant to work as an interdisciplinary teaching tool that can be applied directly in a curriculum.