Ready For Robotics
People & Blogs
Introduction
Welcome to today's webinar on "Ready for Robotics: addressing the missing T and E of STEM in early childhood education," brought to you by Simple K-12. In this webinar, Dr. Amanda Sullivan, manager of teacher training at Kinder Lab Robotics, shares strategies for integrating robotics into the early childhood curriculum. The webinar is sponsored by Kinder Lab Robotics, the creator of Kibo, a robot kit for children aged four to seven. Kibo is designed to build, program, decorate and run their own robots. The goal is to help children learn STEM concepts and get excited about them.
The missing TNE of STEM refers to the difficulty educators face in finding developmentally appropriate activities to engage young children in technology and engineering. Dr. Sullivan emphasizes the importance of integrating technology and engineering in early childhood classrooms. By doing so, educators can foster curiosity and understanding of the human-made environment, bridge the digital divide, and spark interest in STEM fields.
Dr. Sullivan presents Kibo, a robot kit that is easy to use and requires no screens, keyboards, computers, or IT support. Kibo is programmed using wooden blocks with barcodes, making it a developmentally appropriate and playful medium for young learners. Dr. Sullivan demonstrates how Kibo can be used in various subjects, such as science, math, art, and social studies. She also highlights the non-tech skills children can develop through robotics, such as fine motor skills, problem-solving, and sequencing.
The webinar concludes with resources for further exploration, including the Early Childhood Robotics Network and the Kibo Resources website. Additionally, Dr. Sullivan announces a new graduate certificate program in technology and robotics for young children at Tufts University.
Keyword: robotics, early childhood education, STEM, technology, engineering
FAQ:
What is Kibo and how does it work? Kibo is a robot kit designed for children aged four to seven. It can be programmed using wooden blocks with barcodes. The programming blocks are scanned by Kibo in a sequential order, similar to reading. Kibo can be built, programmed, decorated, and run by children, making it a playful and hands-on learning experience.
How does integrating technology and engineering benefit young children? Integrating technology and engineering in early childhood education helps children understand the human-made world around them. It fosters curiosity and problem-solving skills, develops fine motor skills, and improves sequencing abilities. It also promotes collaboration and teamwork, sparks creativity and imagination, and reduces the digital divide.
How can robotics be integrated into various subjects? Robotics can be integrated into various subjects, such as science, math, art, social studies, and language arts. For example, children can program robots to explore the natural environment, count shapes, create animations, tell stories, and represent characters from books. By incorporating robotics, children can engage in hands-on and experiential learning, enhancing their understanding of different subject areas.
What resources are available for educators interested in integrating robotics into their classrooms? Educators can access free curriculum units on the Early Childhood Robotics Network website. The Kibo Resources website offers tutorial videos and step-by-step instructions on using Kibo. Additionally, educators can explore the graduate certificate program in technology and robotics for young children at Tufts University for long-term professional development opportunities.