What is robotics in education and what is it for?

The way of learning in classrooms is changing through educational robotics. It is a revolutionary interdisciplinary teaching system that exposes students to different types of knowledge and prepares them to consciously face the technological development of the modern world.

Human beings have always been in the habit of trying to make their lives easier, and one of the ways to do that is through the road roboticsan interdisciplinary subject in which both mathematical and scientific concepts, such as concentration and creativity, work.

In short, robotics in education, like other technologies, improves many students’ abilities such as mathematics and technology, learning ability, ability to process digital information or personal initiative.

Robotics serves not only to motivate students to program, think logically and create interfaces or devices, but also for social interaction, teamwork and ultimately understanding the potential of human intelligence and the depth of artificial intelligence.

What are the most popular educational robots?

Currently, there are numerous educational robots for children and young people. Among the most popular are:

1. Makeblock: It’s a wheeled robot designed for kids to get started with robotics, programming and electronics. Allows more experienced users to create more complex robots.

2. Wunderkind Heist: It consists of a set of blocks that children can connect as they wish to build their own robot. After building their robot, kids can program it through the app.

3. OWI 535: It is a robotic arm suitable for 13-year-olds. It can lift objects weighing up to 100 grams and has a wide range of movements that can be customized thanks to programming. It is also recommended for vocational training cycles.

4. LEGO Mindstorms EV3: It is a robotic set that includes several sensors, three servomotors and more than 500 LEGO Technic elements, thanks to which different robots can be created. This robot is recommended for children over 10 years old.

5. NAO: It is one of the most famous educational robots in the world. It is a 58-centimeter-tall humanoid robot in constant evolution. Along with two cameras and four microphones, it has a multitude of sensors that allow it to interact with its environment in a similar way as a human. You can participate in the learning process of students from 5 years to University.

What advantages does it provide?

The advantages of robotics in education are not only based on learning programming and familiarization with technology, it also enables the development of other skills and transversal learning.

1. Teamwork: Many challenges that arise must be solved as a team. This contributes to socialization and cooperation.

2. Leadership and trust: As more complex tests are performed, confidence in oneself and one’s abilities grows.

3. Promotes entrepreneurship: Children develop new skills through experimentation. Therefore, there is a desire for innovation, autonomous thinking and undertaking one’s own projects.

4. Logical thinking: Robotics promotes logic and reasoning, so indirectly it also applies to work on philosophical thinking.

5. Curiosity: Discovering how a model is made or how a robot can move arouses curiosity and interest in learning new things. Compared to the traditional repetition system, the child himself is the protagonist in creating his material using his own resources.

In Panama, educational robotics continues to develop and is progressing well. In addition, this system is implemented in some schools, and regional and national robotics Olympiads are held, which has aroused the interest of Panamanian students.