Exploring Robotics Pathway

A Robotics Pathway of Courses for K-12 STEM, Coding, CTE, and Engineering Programs

Students love robots, their parents love these career options, and schools are finding their classes fill up fast with this Robotics Pathway. Let us help your school offer a STEM K-12 pathway, or fill in the gaps for the grades that don't currently have STEM solutions.

Our mission is to find the best robots that are rugged to stand up to classroom abuse, develop curriculum that is aligned to standards, provide PD and support for teachers, all as a package of products and services to schools (public and private). We have a package for every grade from K to 12 with STEM kits and robots for Every student - both small and large classes. We are resellers for several brands of robots including Dash/Dot, Ozobot, Cubelets, Boe-Bot and littleBits. 

We make it easy for non-technical teachers to include STEM and robots in their class and match the robots to the school's technology - tablets, Chromebooks, or computers. Teachers can count on us for technical support and PD that fits into their schedule. 
Slide1

Grades K-5 (Elementary) Courses:


Grades 6-8 (Middle School) Courses:

Slide2

Grades 9-12 (High School) Courses:

Students will learn:

  • Robots and control systems
  • CS Programming: Scratch, Blockly, Basic, Python, and C
  • Engineering Design and Inventing
  • Smart Home and IoT Technologies
  • Microcontrollers: Raspberry Pi, Arduino, ATmega
  • Controlling sensors, motors, digital and analog devices
  • Interfacing to tablets, cell-phones, and mobile devices
  • Networks, data transmission and analytics
  • Electronics and cybersecurity fundamentals
  • Motors and motor control systems
  • Robotics and mechanical systems
  • Reading schematic diagrams and building DC Circuits
  • Bread-boarding, troubleshooting, & systems thinking
  • Real World Applications of Technology

 

Why Implement A STEM K-12 Pathway with Robots?

All students need to understand coding and technology for STEM careers. This pathway of courses helps teachers to incrementally teach coding and STEM concepts from elementary through middle and high school. This prepares students to become the technicians and engineers who are creating and supporting new technologies for homes, medicine, and industry. Students gain the foundation knowledge needed to pursue STEM careers by focusing not only on robots, but also on CS coding and electronics. Students invent things and also learn the fundamentals of electronics using fun kits with Arduino, Raspberry Pi and other control systems. Students have the foundation needed to pursue Electrical and Electronics Engineering as well as Software Engineering careers.

The mobile robots in the pathway mimic the features of those used in warehouses, factories, security, hospitals, and NASA. Students control and operate them and apply them to real world situations. Another major part of engineering is building prototypes using 3D printers.  A humanoid robot with 18 motors and 3D printable parts introduces those concepts. Students also learn aerodynamics and hydrodynamics principles with a drone. The amazing modular Airblock drone not only flies but also operates on land and water when it is assembled as a hovercraft, and it is safe for indoor use.  Finally, the security robot ties it all together, and is a great capstone project with a robot that is driven around with a camera and arm using multiple control systems working together.  Students are prepared to enter college or technical schools with a strong foundation in engineering and CS coding concepts.

Budget Friendly Features:

  • Most classroom packages are under $5,000 for a class of 20 to 30 students.  
  • The kits are rugged and can be used for multiple classes over several years. Some have been used by schools for 5+ years.
  • All curriculum is online, video-based, self-paced lessons for terms or semesters. Students can access lessons from any device.
  • Very minimal materials costs. Spare parts are typically less than $50 per class.  
  • Instructor PD is included via video conference – does not require teachers to travel or miss school days.
  • Technical support is included to get set up and started and to answer questions as they arise.
  • CTE and STEM funding can be used by most schools (some states require teachers to have CTE credentials to qualify for funds). Schools have also raised community funds for these programs.
  • Some schools charge students a lab fee to cover cost of robots or kits, and let the students take the robots home.

S5 Box