INNOVATIVE ROBOTICS TOOLS FOR TEACHING STREM AT THE EARLY STAGE OF EDUCATION

In the modern world where technology plays an increasingly important role, the focus should be placed on providing the society with the basic technological and scientific knowledge as early as possible. Thus, the inclusion of Science, Technology, Robotics, Engineering and Mathematics (known as STREM) in the early stages of education is an absolute necessity. The use of robots and introducing Robotics as a regular subject at schools have a variety of positive aspects. To mention only some of them, by teaching children with the use of real robots their interest in science and technology may only increase as normally: children find all technological devices fascinating and entertaining. Thus, the collaboration of National Instrument, Istituto Comprensivo Statale Largo Cocconi and Università Politecnica delle Marche brought this concept to life by introducing Robotics to one of the primary school curriculum for the whole five-year cycle. The Robotics kits used during the whole project were COTS components as children learnt to build robots out of the Lego Mindstorms kit. The results of the whole project were very promising and proved to engage children in the subject of Robotics, teaching not only technological terms but also concepts of collaboration and teamwork.
Prompted by the positive results, Università Politecnica delle Marche is developing another project in which their own prototype of robotic fish will be used in the educational process. The use of robotics fish as an educational tool will let children to acquire knowledge not only connected with STREM but also with environmental issues, which at present become a great concern of many organizations and institutions. Providing children with such an in-depth and practical knowledge about the world around them will certainly contribute to form sensitive, well-qualified and experienced next generation.