STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) is an educational approach that merges all four major disciplines. The main STEM goal is for learners to apply knowledge from the four crucial disciplines to solve real-world problems.
Traditionally, math and science are important parts of curriculums. However, educators believe that STEM learning ideology can best prepare students for a world that constantly demands technological advancements and scientific innovations. More parents want their children to pursue STEM careers because these careers are stable, in-demand, high-paying, and scalable.
The Role of Robotics in STEM
Many students find learning science, technology, engineering, and math vague and complex. The traditional ways of teaching them do not necessarily inspire interest and enthusiasm. This is where STEM comes in handy.
STEM education uses holistic and hands-on learning approaches to make learning the four major high technical subjects easier, relatable, and engaging.
Robotics is one of the effective ways to build STEM knowledge and develop critical skills. It is a branch of technology that involves designing, building, and programming robots. Robotics courses for kids teach them the necessary coding and programming skills to enable robots (a physical structure) to move and perform actions.
How Is Robotics Effective in STEM Learning:
Addresses Learning Goals in Various Disciplines
Robotics is an excellent STEM tool because it meets learning objectives for all multiple fields.
Science
Robotics encourages children to use the scientific method to solve problems and complete projects. It inspires curiosity and develops a scientific mind through questioning. Robotics involves scientific concepts like power, electricity, photovoltaics, force, and tension.
Mathematics
Robotics integrates basic math concepts such as addition, subtraction, and ratio and proportion
Engineering
Engineering in robotics involves designing and putting together components that enable it to function. When children assemble moving parts of a machine in the right places, they are already learning the basic concepts of mechanical engineering.
Computer Science
Aside from having the framework and components in place, students must learn basic coding and other computer science principles to make robots move and function.
Encourages Hands-on Learning
Robotics facilitates the building of STEM skills through practical application and hands-on activities. With robotics, students can see and touch a tangible result of their learning and ideas. They have plenty of opportunities to apply theories and concepts. Robotics engages their learner’s minds and keeps their hands busy.
Learning Possibilities are Endless
In Robotics, learning is scalable and flexible. Students may start their learning journey by building a simple robot that follows one or two basic user commands like standing up or moving forwards and backward. This is when they understand how scientific and mathematical concepts can translate into a robot that works.
But the learning does not stop there!
Students can build up their knowledge and skills and create more commands so the same robot can perform more actions. Students can add parts like legs, hands, or cameras to make their robot more sophisticated. The product in robotics reflects the learner’s journey in STEM. In addition, educators can tailor robotics lessons and activities to students at all levels. They will not run out of something new to teach students in this field.
Robotics is Fun and Interesting
Mathematics and science subjects can intimidate and overwhelm many children because many concepts are hard to grasp. In addition, many young learners find dealing with numbers, formulas, and theories uninteresting.
As a direct result of this perception, these learners create a sense of fear with regard to learning these subjects. This fear builds up and becomes insecurities that result in unfavorable learning experiences.
Robots amuse, interest, and fascinate children. They exist outside the classroom and are depicted in movies and TV shows. The idea of designing and building robots to move and function will be fun for kids. And the activity becomes even more meaningful if educators can enforce the fact that robots can provide several uses and benefits to society.
Promotes Creativity
One main belief in STEM is that creativity t drives innovation and progress. When students graduate and assume jobs in STEM fields, they need to be creative to overcome challenges and create solutions. Robotics inspires creativity. Without creativity, students won’t be able to build better robots. This principle remains the same in the robotics industry of the real world.
Companies build robots to solve problems like increasing the speed of production, automating repetitive tasks, enhancing safety, and lowering operational costs. Robotics supports medical care and research. Assistive robots can make the life quality of disabled people better. Without creativity in robotics, all these creative solutions to real-world problems would have never existed.
STEM educators can recreate real-world problems for students in the classroom, and ask them to design a robot that can solve these problems. In this learning scenario, the educator encourages students to tap into their creativity and robotics knowledge.
Bottomline
With Robotics, STEM learning is fun, engaging, practical, and scalable. It is also flexible and inclusive as students from various backgrounds and levels can learn from robotics. Even young kids at the primary level can benefit from this field.
Robotics focuses on the process of learning and not just the end product. Instead of a numerical or alphabetical mark, the merit lies in the ability to create a tangible object that provides solutions – and this is what STEM learning is all about.
Don’t leave just yet! Find out how you can give your child a head start in their education.
