eSchoolNews: Three Key Trends in Robotics Education

eSchoolsNews describes how spending on K-12 robotics is expected to more than quadruple in the next four years and the reason why. The article (including KIBO!) continues:

“K-12 educators turn to robotics as a way to get students excited about science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) education. Worldwide, schools spent $146.5 million on robotics products and curricula in 2018, and this figure is expected to grow annually by 28 percent through 2023, reaching $640.5 million by that time.

Educators are finding that robotics is a great way to introduce STEAM skills and concepts to students of all ages. Robotics helps bring STEAM concepts to life through engaging, hands-on learning opportunities. Students enjoy being creative, and building and programming their own robot to do simple tasks allows them to flex their creative muscles. Along the way, students are learning key concepts in math, physics, coding, and engineering, and they’re seeing how these principles apply within real-world scenarios—so their learning is more likely to stick.

But even if students have no interest in an engineering or coding career, robotics teaches them essential skills that are broadly applicable. Designing, building, and programming robots helps students learn logic, problem solving, perseverance, computational thinking, and a host of other skills that are invaluable regardless of what career path they choose.”

3 Trends in Robotics Education

  1. Robotics instruction is now reaching early learners
  2. Companies are trying to make robotics as accessible as possible for students—and teachers
  3. New programs aim to reach underrepresented populations such as girls and minorities.

See the full article here.