Abstract:

The state-funded project RoboPraX is coming to an end in February 2022 and this paper presents the results of the four year project in which a STEM workshop with humanoid robots for middle and high school children represents the focal point. For the evaluation of the workshop a mainly qualitative triangularly approach was used with student questionnaires, participatory observations as well as reflections of the workshop instructors. The research project aims at promoting STEM education in schools, especially as computer science is not part of the core curriculum in most German federal states. A basic understanding of programming principles is considered to be a fundamental skill relevant for future employment which should be part of the standard school curriculum. Furthermore, the Robotikum employs edutainment and project-based learning for a practical as well as knowledge-based entry into the field of robotics and artificial intelligence, demystifying both fields in the process.

After a short description of the workshop concept, a project outline with the developed material and concepts as well as the evaluation scheme with the developed questionnaires and the conducted pretests will be followed by an analysis of the results of the collected data, limitations of the surveys and a data comparison. The evaluation efforts span three aspects: quality assurance of the created workshop and supportive materials, attitude test (incl. possible changes tracked via a panel survey) and a competency test (e.g. short formative evaluation of learning outcomes). The paper concludes with an outlook that contained further projects and the sustainability efforts of the project team.

References:
[1] Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK), "Bildung in einer digitalen Welt. Strategie der Kultusministerkonferenz," 2016. Retrieved from https://www.kmk.org/fileadmin/Dateien/pdf/PresseUndAktuelles/2017/Strategie_ neu_2017_datum_1.pdf.
[2] P21 – Partnership for 21st Century Learning, “Framework for 21st Century Learning Definitions”, Battle for Kids, 2019. Retrieved from http://static.battelleforkids.org/documents/p21/P21_Framework_DefinitionsBFK.pdf.
[3] OECD Future of Education and Skills 2030, “Conceptual Learning Framework- Attitudes and Values for 2030”, OECD, 2019. Retrieved from https://www.oecd.org/education/2030-project/teaching-and-learning/learning/attitudes-and-values/Attitudes_and_Values_for_2030_concept_note.pdf.

Keywords:

STEM education, educational robotics, NAO robots, MOOCs, inverted learning, qualitative research, competency tasks, attitude tests, sustainability.