Robotics to promote STEM learning: Educational robotics unit for 4th grade science

Abstract

Educational robotics or Robotics in Education (RiE) is the term widely used to describe the educational use of robotics as a learning tool. Educational robotics is an effective learning tool for promoting and encouraging students' STEM learning. It is rich with opportunities to integrate not only STEM but also many other disciplines, including literacy, social studies, dance, music and art, while giving students the opportunity to find ways to work together to foster collaboration skills, express themselves using the technological tool, problem-solve, and think critically and innovatively. It is a learning tool that enhances students' learning experiences through hands-on mind-on learning. Most importantly, educational robotics provides a fun and exciting learning environment because of its hands-on nature and the integration of technology. The paper introduces an educational robotics unit that is integrated into a 4th grade science curriculum. Included in the paper is also an overview of the unit, the sequence of lessons, and an examination of key instructional strategies. In addition, it explains how the learning standards are addressed in the unit.