Early Robotics Outreach


Overview

We are looking at the role of computational technologies that are developmentally appropriate for young children and that help them learn about new things in new ways. In particular we focus on how robotic tools can help children explore concepts of math, science and technology in a fun and creative way, by enabling them to make connections with ideas that are both personally and epistemologically meaningful. We are re-examining the notion of what is "developmentally-appropriate" in the light of the opportunities for inquiry and active construction of knowledge offered by new technologies.

Educational Programs

2010 Technology Summer Workshops for Children

There were a number of summer sessions offered for young children during summer 2010. A robotics program for children entering 1st through 5th grade was offered between June 21nd and 25th. A Scratch program for children entering kindergarten through 5th grade was offered between June 28th and July 2nd. No previous experience with Lego, Sratch, or Robotics was required. In addition, we offered a one day Digital Video Making workshop for 3rd, 4th, & 5th grade students.

2009 Robotics Summer Workshops for Children

There were a number of summer sessions offered for young children during summer 2009. A program for children entering 1st through 4th grade was offered between June 22nd and 26th, and a program for children entering kindergarten through 2nd grade was offered between July 20th and 24th. No previous experience with Lego or robotics required.


2007 Early Robotics Summer Program for Young Children

This summer program was for students in the 1st or 2nd grade by August 2007. The students built with LEGO bricks to create programmable robots.


2006 Robotics Summer Institute for Early Childhood Educators

The institute, which was taught for three days in August 2006, provided a unique opportunity for twenty one early childhood educators (PreK-2) and technology specialists working with the early grades to learn how new robotics technologies can be used with young children and integrated with the math, science, technology and engineering (MSTE) curriculum.

Resources

Below are links to PDF documents for further information

For more general information on understanding technology and its role in child development and learning and for information about Robolab Programming Language at the Tufts University:

For all inquiries regarding the various projects, please contact the research director

Primary Investigator (PI)

Professor Marina Bers
Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Development
Tufts University

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