Professional Development
Free Online Workshops for Teachers and Administrators on
Integrating Robotics and Arduino into Math, CS, and STEAM Learning
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As school districts work to integrate 21st-century CS education into their STEAM curriculum, one significant challenge is the need for professional development to bring teachers and administrators up to speed. This is even more important as districts, schools, and teachers face the challenges of distance learning due to COVID-19. That’s why Barobo is offering two free online hands-on workshops on integrating CS/STEAM with Robotics and Mathematics with Robotics curriculum and activities into classroom teaching and distance learning, using virtual and/or hardware robots. (Details and registration below.)
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Special offer: If 10 or more participants from schools within a district attend Workshop 2, each participant will receive a free Barobo Basic Kit (Arduino-Compatible).
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Previous coding or robotics experience is not required.
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Workshop 1: Integrating Robotics and Arduino into
Math, CS, and STEAM Classroom and Distance Learning
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In this workshop teachers and administrators will gain an introduction to the learning resources available via Barobo's RoboBlockly site and K-12 curriculum on CS/STEAM with Robotics and Mathematics with Robotics. Participants will learn how Math, CS, and STEAM distance learning can be implemented using online hands-on activities with virtual and/or hardware robots, in order to build students’ problem-solving abilities and stimulate their creativity and imagination. Topics include:
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The RoboBlockly online interface for classroom and distance learning of CS/STEAM with Robotics and Mathematics with Robotics
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Free Curriculum for robotics and coding, including Hour of Code and AP CS Principles
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Prime Curriculum with fully customizable template courses in robotics, coding, and K-algebra math
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Teacher resources, including interactive tutorials, videos, and Class Management System for assigning, tracking, and grading student homework
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Resources for full text-based Ch/C/C++ programming
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Linkbot, Arduino, and Linkbot+Arduino (sensor-based robotics) hardware demos
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To register for the workshop, choose one of the dates/times listed below and click the “Register” link. Previous coding or robotics experience is not required.
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Workshop 2 (half or full day): Integrating Robotics and Arduino
into Math, CS, and STEAM Classroom and Distance Learning
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This online workshop is designed for schools or districts and can be scheduled for either a full day, two half days, or half day. The workshop is free of charge when a school or district has 10 or more participants, and participants will receive a free Barobo Basic Kit (Arduino-Compatible). In some cases workshops held on-site are also possible. To schedule a workshop please contact us using this form.
The workshop is designed to help teachers get started with RoboBlockly and the many ways they can use it in their teaching. It can also be customized for grade levels and/or certain things a school wants to focus on. Possible topics include:
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Enhance Math, CS, and STEAM education using robots, Arduino, and the Free and Prime Curriculum at RoboBlockly to stimulate students’ creativity and imagination
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Use the Class Management System in RoboBlockly to manage classes, add student accounts, assign homework, grade student submitted homework, and provide feedback
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Bring student-friendly robotics and making technologies into distance learning, classrooms, CTE pathways, and afterschool programs
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Program and control both virtual and hardware robots using block-based programming and understand the connection to C programming
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Apply coding and robotics activities to subjects such as math, science, engineering, and art
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Connect coding and robotics activities to CCSS Math, NGSS, and CS standards
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Implement sensor-based robotics activities using sensors through Arduino, such as obstacle avoidance
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Integrate robotics into the AP Computer Science Principles (CSP) course and provide a foundation for creating the required CSP computational artifact
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Employ C-STEM Studio, a full-featured software platform for hands-on, integrated learning of computing and STEM via coding and robotics
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Participate in level playing field RoboPlay Competitions organized by the UC Davis C-STEM Center
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Results and Testimonials
Improving 3rd Grade Standard Math Test Scores by 72% Over 4 Years
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Comments from recent onsite workshops:
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"This workshop is great and I have a lot of ideas for classroom application in my school. This includes tech classes, math, and 'exploration' classes." Donna Chastang, 8th grade technology teacher, Indianapolis
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"Thank you, super informative and easy to follow for someone who has never used programming." Courtney Hesse, 4th grade teacher, Walnut Creek, California
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“The instructor covered an insane amount of content in a concise way that I felt was easy to understand. The Linkbot seems incredibly durable and I am impressed with the modular abilities of it.” Jason Kissell, K-12 tech coach, Grove City, Ohio
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"I thoroughly enjoyed the interactive, hands-on activities. The presenter did a fantastic job!" Ed Mondragon, STEM/CTE Coordinator, Granite School District, Salt Lake City