The Programmable Drone for STEM Education

Abstract

Technologies in the current world are constantly changing. These changes are also reflected in teaching process. Computer Science subject uses mostly programming language Scratch in Slovak schools. We wanted to try out a new tool for pupils as a way for programming and STEM education – modular and programmable drone Airblock. In this contribution we wanted to present this drone which we think is suitable for teaching programming. Drones are very popular among people and that was the reason why we think drones can be used as a motivational tool in order to teach programming at schools. This was done by the extracurricular activity at the Matej Bel University and the pupils were from lower secondary schools in Banská Bystrica, Slovakia. The pupils developed many buttons with different behaviours. The Airblock drone could fly without pre-programmed buttons. The subject matter of this article is a presentation of robotic toy – programming of the flying drone Airblock suitable for teaching programming.