Robots, robots are everywhere and yes, even in your science education in the classroom. The word “robot” is common and spoken in many homes and classrooms today. And why shouldn’t it be? There are robots in every aspect of our lives.
We see revolutionary deployments such as the Mars Rover on a faraway planet to deep-sea exploration and discovering new species of marine life. But robotics also touches our daily lives, from our Roomba vacuum to our students/children competing in robotics competitions. It is a natural fit for a robot to be a staple in engineering classes but what about science labs?
As luck would have it, it is also appropriate for science since robotics is multidisciplinary, covering physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics, and others and is a great tool for science teachers to use in their classroom and labs.
A multidisciplinary tool is necessary due to the growing need for educators to meet the Next Generation Science Standards. The expectations have greatly increased that students will have robust analytical and quantitative skills by the time they graduate high school.
The only way to accomplish this is by moving away from the memorization of facts to a hands-on approach where students can learn by doing. Science class is a natural forum for hands-on learning given the need for experimentation.
Additionally, students aren’t afraid to try new things using new methods to learn, especially when it’s considered “cool” and they are encouraged by their instructor.
With the launch of the new mind storms Education EV3 platform last year, we are making it easier for science teachers to use robots in their classrooms. With the new mind storms Education EV3 Science Activity Pack, we worked with leading curriculum specialists such as Fraunhofer to find the best ways to use robotics to teach science.
There are 14 activities focused on 4 different disciplinary core concepts: renewable energy, thermal physics, mechanics and light. But don’t take our word for it; here is a quote from a forty-year veteran and no stranger to technology in the science lab:
“It is very exciting to see Education expanding its offerings by seriously entering into the education markets and filling numerous needs that exist with instructional delivery. I have had the opportunity to view a number of your short videos that demonstrate cutting edge applications that address very critical topics for student learning within many important instructional areas (Stem, Science, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering).
Quite frankly, I find your equipment and thrust to be attention-getting, engaging, and having the prospect of being very effective within various classroom settings. There is no doubt that your devices and approaches would have immense national appeal, within the U.S., with the aforementioned areas.”
