Technology & Learning: Make the Most of Your Budget with These Great Products: Makerspace Product Roundup 2018
KIBO is included in the “Technology & Learning: Make the Most of Your Budget with These Great Products: Makerspace Product Roundup 2018”.
The article describes products that are the perfect fit for making and makerspaces in schools. These products help extend the offerings in makerspaces and enable students to make connections between the curriculum and their lives.
The article continues:
What it Does: The KIBO Robot is a multi-functional robot that students can build, design, decorate, and code—screen-free and tool-free. This particular kit, KIBO 21, comes with assorted components including sensors for light, distance, and sound as well as sound recording and playback. Students add included wheels, motors, and unique building accessories such as a flagpole, whiteboard, building-brick modules, and two stages that can be used with all sorts of materials. With such limitless customization and personalization, KIBO is sure to appeal to all students and is perfect for STEAM programs. Code KIBO by placing wooden “function” blocks together to form a sequence. Students have a choice of 21 function blocks, with the ability to customize the “If” block and “Repeat” block with 12 included parameter cards. Starting with the beginning brick, scan the barcode on each brick with KIBO to place the sequence in memory. Push the triangle button and watch KIBO execute the program. All of the components and accessories in this kit are made well to withstand the sometimes not-so-gentle handling of younger students.
Compatibility: There are also additional accessories that allow the robot to be compatible with many of the building bricks on the market today.
Ease of Use: Components are shaped to mimic the function of the component (e.g., the sound component is shaped like an ear) for easy identification by young students. The KIBO Robot Kits have been created based on over 20 years of research by Dr. Marina Bers, professor at the Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Study and Human Development and director of the DevTech Research Group at Tufts University, and the kits have been tested thousands of times with children.
Project Ideas: The website contains tutorials, activities, and videos of KIBO in action in the classroom. Sign up for their newsletter to receive new resources via email. Printed teacher and curriculum guides are available for purchase.
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