Educational robotics and STEM education in primary education: A pilot study using the H&S electronic systems platform

Abstract

In this paper an attempt is made to utilize educational robotics applications in Primary Education in order to teach basic principles of Automatic Control Systems and Programming. For this purpose, the robotic package H&S Electronic Systems was used in the frame of the STEM education approach. According to the latter, emphasis is given to the connection of the four subjects, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Educational robotics can be proven to be an important tool to achieve these goals, but also to develop students’ motivation to participate in an active way in learning. Within this work the students are asked to work in groups to design, develop and implement their programs to control the behavior of their robotic constructions, following specially designed worksheets. This work, finally, aims to investigate and highlight educational benefits emerging from the data analysis of students’ work.