Coding is, of course, a hugely important area of 21st century education. Whether they're as young as Pre-K or ready to enter college, coding is extremely relevant to almost every student's future. Thankfully, millions of educators and administrators realize the importance of teaching kids to code. Whether it's a curricular requirement or part of an informal school club, programming experiences are amazingly valuable for students. There's also plenty of options, so educators can find something without complicated or pricey features. In this section, you'll see a lot of different topics related to K-12 coding. These include features on particular STEM tools, insights on coding integration, skills students can develop and more. There's also something for teachers of all grade levels. Whether you teach the early grades or have students with the foundation to take the next step, you'll find helpful resources for teaching coding in the classroom.
Coding is truly an experience that all K-12 students can have. Starting in the early grades, students can code screen-free with a tool like the Cubetto Robot. Then, they can start to increase their coding skills and explore Blockly environments using tools like the Dash Robot, Ozobot Evo, and many others. From there, students can explore a bunch of different languages, like Snap!, Scratch, MakeCode, and more and, eventually, expand their skill sets by exploring text-based languages, like JavaScript and Python. All the while, the STEM solutions we advocate for also allow students to learn the most important coding concepts, like loops, variables, inputs, conditionals, and syntax. With a natural progression that leads to increased computer science competencies and enhanced future readiness, it's tough to understate the relevance of coding experiences in the classroom.
The Dash Robot is designed for students who are six and older, making it a superb option for kids who have never tried robotics or coding. It allows all students to use block code to bring the robot’s actions to life on their desk or their screen. Whether you’re looking for good robots for students to use in afterschool clubs
From kindergarten through high school, coding helps all students develop real-world hard and soft skills—even if they are not planning on pursuing a computer science career. Plus, getting started isn’t intimidating either and, in fact, introducing programming often involves some extremely simple CS tools in kindergarten before working in those with more STEM possibilities.
Python is an open language that’s perfect for both first-time programmers and students who have experience, empowering them to broaden their CS knowledge and abilities. It’s completely text-based and often described as a general-purpose language that’s used primarily in web development, app generation, scientific computing, and in creating graphical interfaces.
To use the Bee–Bot See & Say model with a device, kids can download the Bee–Bot app from the app store. It’s available for iOS devices (iPhone and iPad) and Android devices, offering them the chance to bolster new coding skills while playing games. Most importantly, it creates a stepping stone to the next level of coding with the Bee–Bot
The Skoog 2.0 is a tactile device that students can utilize to create sounds and music based on how they touch the various sides of this cube-shaped structure. It’s soft and even somewhat squishy, mimicking the top side of a drum with its unique texture but the Skoog 2.0 helps K–12 music teachers create learning experiences that are equally fun
A large percentage of parents and K–12 teachers are aware that computer science and STEM education can impact children starting at a very young age. They may not, however, have all the key information when it comes to how to facilitate these learning experiences. From kindergarten up through high school, these robotics tools help kids progressively develop CS skills.
Most school administrators will be happy to give their approval for starting a school robotics club but you’ll still have to show a clear value proposition in your proposal. Once you get approved, research some classroom robots and find lesson ideas, you’ll be ready to firm up the key logistics, including where you’ll meet, how often, and how to tie
Designed to closely resemble the tried-and-true Bee–Bot coding robot, the Blue–Bot Robot from Terrapin provides ECE teachers and students with an upgraded learning experience. It’s still simplistic enough for kids to use as part of Pre–K, kindergarten, and early elementary lessons but also features added Bluetooth functionality to ensure for progressive skills development.
Consisting of robot arms, AI kits, and accessories, these technologies help inject additional real-world relevance and rigor into your high school STEM and CTE programs. From the Dobot Magician and AI kits to their conveyor belts and sliding rail accessories, students can truly get a feel for the world of automation, simulate AI experiences, and program robotic behaviors.
The EdCreate Expansion Kit for enhancing Edison Robot STEAM projects helps students focus on construction with its 115 building parts, including blocks, gears, wheels, pegs, and more that are each compatible with both the Edison and LEGOs. The kit also includes classroom project guides and instructional videos that show students how to construct the five EdBuilds.
