Abstract:

The aim of the paper is to present the integration of STEM education pedagogy in robotics engineering in after school enrichment classes for students 4-12 grade. The training takes place in club-robots in town of Byala (Bulgaria). The robotics education helps students to establish science, technology, engineering, and math concepts and to build on team-working skills.

Introduction:
“Robot-Byala” club has founded by engineers working in the field of automation and system operation, mechatronics, information technology and education. The education offers a variety of classes and workshops that students of all ages can take part. Robotics classes give students the opportunity to dive deep into the world of robotics and explore how computer programming and robot design can solve problems.

Students learn different sciences through robot games and constant teamwork in designing automated systems. The lessons are conducted in an interesting and understandable way immersing in the world of robotics, programming, new technologies and science.

The benefits of the robotics education are:
• Establish students’ science, technology, engineering, and math concepts.
• Develop the algorithmic and logical thinking of students.
• Develop the abstract thinking and perception of the students.
• Build on students’ team-working skills.
• Improve students’ creative thinking skills.
• Improve students’ social skills.
• Improve students’ problem-solving skills.
• Improve students’ computer-programming skills.

Methodology based on STEM pedagogy in robotics education in after school enrichment classes:
With a growing economy that has a higher demand for STEM fields and requires 21st century skills and experience in a scientific, technological, engineering, or mathematics, it is important that the students learn how they can make a difference in their world and to be aware of the opportunities that are available to them.

STEM is a methodology based on the idea of educating students in four specific disciplines — science, technology, engineering and mathematics – in an interdisciplinary and applied approach. Rather than teach the four disciplines as separate and discrete subjects, STEM integrates them into a cohesive learning paradigm based on real-world applications. [1].

On the basis of STEM methodology, Robot-Byala Club has developed educational models for the following groups of students:
Primary school-model for students 4-7 grade – focuses on the introductory STEM courses. Students learn about the training methodology and its main objectives, and work on real-world problems that connect all four of the STEM subjects. Block programming is used to compile the algorithms. This avoids the use of complex programming constructs.

Secondary school-model for students 8-12 grade – focuses on improving the level of STEM training and the students' awareness of STEM fields and occupations, as well as the academic requirements of such fields. Students:
• solve complex practical tasks using and developing their analytical and creative thinking;
• improve their skills to solve practical tasks based on knowledge of various disciplines of the natural sciences;
• develop sophisticated algorithms using program constructs, solve complex tasks related to the use of robotic systems for research, process management in the home, automation of production processes, etc.

Keywords:

STEM, pedagogy, robotics, education, technology, science.