Teaching Mathematics with Coding and Robotics can Transform California Math Instruction
EdSource | February 1, 2026 | Online Article | PDF

RoboBlocky Math^™ is an innovative TK-12 mathematics curriculum that emphasizes real-world mathematical problem solving, conceptual understanding, mathematical reasoning, student agency, and TK–12 coherence. It integrates mathematics with coding, manipulatives, and robotics, aligns fully with state mathematics standards, and is approved for adoption by the California State Board of Education (SBE) under the California Mathematics Framework. 

RoboBlocky Math is designed to support core instruction, acceleration, intervention, enrichment, and expanded learning through a coherent TK–12 curriculum that adapts to diverse instructional models and student needs.

The high school RoboBlocky Math courses are UC A–G approved C-STEM courses that can be readily added to a high school's A–G course list, enabling schools to integrate mathematics, coding, and robotics into college-preparatory mathematics courses. 

Guiding Principles and TK–12 Coherence

• Supports conceptual understanding and mathematical reasoning through the strategic integration of coding and robotics only when they meaningfully enhance student learning and engagement
• RoboBlocky Math lessons focus on mathematics without requiring coding. When coding is included, it is designed to support mathematical exploration, conceptual understanding, and problem solving.
• Supports flexible implementation using manipulatives, virtual robots, and physical robots, allowing schools and teachers to adapt implementation based on instructional goals, classroom needs, and available resources. When RoboBlocky Math is implemented together with the STEAM, Computer Science, and Engineering Design with Robotics Pathways, physical robot-based mathematics activities may be delivered through the STEAM pathways to support mathematics instruction. Mathematics teachers may continue to use physical robots for lesson demonstrations when appropriate. 
• Supports hands-on learning using Linkbot Bundles as common manipulatives and reconfigurable robotic systems from TK through Grade 12
• Supports instructional continuity, collaboration, and peer mentoring across grade levels
• Supports cross-grade and cross-disciplinary collaboration among teachers through Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)

Flexible Implementation for Core and Targeted Support, Fully Aligned with Grade-Level Mathematics Standards

• Supports teacher-led core mathematics instruction for all students
• Supports flexible classroom implementation and supplemental use through selected lessons and activities to enhance existing mathematics curricula, including alignment guides for over 25 widely used mathematics programs
• Supports teacher-led Tier 2 instruction through scheduled intervention courses for students needing additional support
• Supports Tier 3 paraeducator- and special education teacher-led individualized or small-group instruction using selected lessons and activities for targeted reinforcement
• RoboBlocky Math and the corresponding STEAM, Computer Science, and Engineering Design with Robotics Pathways are designed to complement one another. Physical robot-based mathematics activities, including RoboParade, RoboPlay Competitions, and other hands-on robotics experiences, are included in both curricula. Schools implementing both curricula may conduct these physical robot-based mathematics activities within the STEAM pathways, allowing mathematics teachers to focus on core mathematics instruction while continuing to use physical robots for lesson demonstrations when appropriate.

Instructional Resources and Teacher Support

RoboBlocky Math is designed to empower all teachers, including those without prior coding or robotics experience, to confidently guide students in making mathematics meaningful, engaging, and accessible. RoboBlocky Math includes:

• Comprehensive Instructor Handbooks
• Student Workbooks (print editions in English and Spanish)
• Digital resources in multiple languages
• Ready-to-run programs in lesson Examples that support teacher-led mathematics instruction
• Structured lessons and guided activities integrating hands-on manipulatives, coding, virtual robots, and physical robots
• Teachers can modify program values to immediately observe how changes affect the program output, helping students visualize mathematical relationships and deepen conceptual understanding
• Guided coding activities that provide scaffolded opportunities for students to apply mathematical concepts by modifying program values or selected code, as appropriate for the activity
• Cross-chapter and cross-grade Big Idea Tasks (K–5), Big Idea Projects (6–12), RoboPlay Adventures (K-1),  and RoboPlay Challenges (2-12) to promote deeper mathematical understanding

Research-Informed Instructional Frameworks

• RoboBlocky Instructional Strategy for Excellence (RISE)

  A research-informed, standards-aligned instructional strategy that supports conceptual understanding, mathematical reasoning, inquiry, problem solving, and academic language development through structured lesson design and purposeful mathematical discourse.

• REST (Run, Explain, Step, and Talk) Instructional Model

  A structured instructional model used within RoboBlocky lessons to guide inquiry-based learning through coding and robotics examples, supporting prediction, explanation, discourse, and collaborative problem solving.

• Professional Development and Implementation Support

  Professional development supports educators in implementing the RISE Instructaional Strategy and REST Instructional Model through classroom demonstrations, implementation examples, instructor scripts, and guided instructional practices designed to strengthen mathematical reasoning, discourse, inquiry-based learning, and classroom engagement.

Proven Impact

• Develops all students to think and reason as mathematicians
• Demonstrates significant gains in mathematics achievement (In one documented success, the percentage of 6th-grade students meeting or exceeding standards on the SBAC state mathematics assessment increased from 16% to 71% within one year, a 344% improvement)
• Empowers teachers as leaders in innovative mathematics instruction

RoboBlocky Math Accelerated and Highly Accelerated Curriculum follows the same guiding principles and instructional framework as the RoboBlocky Math Core Curriculum while providing rigorous, fast-paced mathematics courses for students who are ready for accelerated learning.

The curriculum provides six flexible acceleration pathways based on both the traditional (Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2) and integrated (Integrated Mathematics I, II, III) high school mathematics sequences. Together, the pathways comprise four accelerated courses that provide school districts with flexibility to implement customized accelerated and highly accelerated programs that meet local pathway models and diverse student readiness levels.

Accelerated Pathways A and B provide one year of acceleration beginning in either Grade 7 or Grade 8. Highly Accelerated Pathway C enables advanced students to complete four years of mathematics content in two years, beginning in Grade 6. These pathways accelerate mastery of grade-level and above-grade-level mathematics standards while preparing students for advanced high school mathematics and post-secondary success.

Further details, pathway diagrams, pacing guides, and course descriptions are available in the RoboBlocky Instructor Guide.

RoboBlocky Math Intervention and Enrichment Curriculum follows the same guiding principles and instructional framework as the RoboBlocky Math Core Curriculum while providing flexible, hands-on mathematics courses for elementary, middle, and high school students.

The same curriculum supports both intervention and enrichment, with implementation differentiated through pacing, instructional emphasis, and depth of mathematical exploration rather than different instructional materials. Intervention implementations strengthen foundational mathematical understanding through guided instruction, additional practice, and extended instructional time, while enrichment implementations use an accelerated pace and extended problem-solving experiences to deepen conceptual understanding and application.

Courses may be implemented during the school day, afterschool, or in summer programs.

One-semester courses support either intervention or enrichment, while full-year courses are designed primarily for intervention. All courses strengthen essential mathematical concepts, build student confidence, and prepare learners for success in future mathematics, STEAM, and computer science pathways through engaging, project-based learning experiences.

Further details, pacing guides, and course descriptions are available in the RoboBlocky Instructor Guide.

The STEAM, Computer Science, and Engineering Design with Robotics Pathways integrate robotics throughout STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics), computer science, and engineering design learning experiences. Through hands-on, interactive activities using virtual and physical robots, students develop computational thinking, engineering design, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Through creative projects, engineering challenges, computational storytelling, physical computing, and robotics activities, students develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to become innovative problem-solvers, makers, and future technology leaders.

Students engage in Computational Storytelling, Engineering Design with Robotics, Build Your Own Robot Machines, Physical Computing Projects, RoboParade™, RoboEngineering Expo™, and RoboPlay™ Competitions while applying concepts from mathematics, science, engineering, and computer science to solve authentic real-world problems.

The pathways are designed to complement and reinforce existing mathematics curricula—including RoboBlocky Math—while also serving as comprehensive, stand-alone STEAM, computer science, and engineering design curricula. Each course is carefully designed to support students' cognitive development and grade-level mathematical proficiency. No prior experience with coding, robotics, engineering, or computer science is required. Schools may implement individual courses or comprehensive pathways as stand-alone curricula or integrate them into existing mathematics, science, computer science, engineering, STEAM, afterschool, expanded learning, makerspace, summer camp, CTE, and enrichment programs.

Elementary STEAM and Computer Science with Robotics Pathway (Grades K–5)

• STEAM and Computer Science with Robotics (Kindergarten)
• STEAM and Computer Science with Robotics (Grade 1)
• STEAM and Computer Science with Robotics (Grade 2)
• STEAM and Computer Science with Robotics (Grade 3)
• STEAM and Computer Science with Robotics (Grade 4)
• STEAM and Computer Science with Robotics (Grade 5)

Middle School STEAM and Computer Science Pathway (Grades 6–8)

• STEAM and Computer Science with Robotics (Grade 6)
• STEAM and Computer Science with Robotics (Grade 7)
• STEAM and Computer Science with Robotics (Grade 8) 
• Introduction to Programming with C (Grades 7–8)
• Physical Computing with Arduino (Grades 7–8)

High School Computer Science and Robotics CTE ICT Pathway (Grades 9–12)

• Computer Science with Robotics
• Computer Programming for Solving Applied Problems
• AP Computer Science Principles with Robotics
• Robotic Technologies

The High School Computer Science and Robotics CTE ICT Pathway courses are UC A–G approved C-STEM courses that can be readily added to a high school's A–G course list. AP Computer Science Principles with Robotics is a College Board-endorsed course.

For more information, please click here. 

Expanded Learning with Robotics has two curricula: Robotics Curriculum for Expanded Learning and Robotics-Math Curriculum for Expanded Learning. They are designed for afterschool and summer programs. These programs:

• Engage students in hands-on STEAM, computer science, engineering, and robotics activities using a wide range of robot machines.
• Provide opportunities for both accelerated and intervention learning in mathematics through real-world problem-solving.
• Nurture creativity and imagination as students design, build, and program their own robot machines while engaging in computational storytelling.
• Enhance teamwork and communication skills through collaborative robotics projects.
• Prepare students to participate in the math-focused, level-playing-field RoboPlay Competitions.

The same robotics hardware, programming tools, and curriculum resources used in regular classroom instruction can also be utilized in expanded learning programs, making implementation highly cost-effective while providing additional time for hands-on exploration, creativity, and deeper learning. For more information, please click here.

Integrated Learning Components 

Engineering Design with Robotics, RoboEngineering Expo™, RoboPlay™ Competitions, and Holiday Activities are integral components of the RoboBlocky Curriculum. Together, they provide authentic opportunities for students to design, build, program, test, refine, showcase, and compete through hands-on engineering projects, robotics activities, seasonal learning experiences, and mathematics and engineering challenges.

• Engineering Design with Robotics (TK–12)
• RoboEngineering Expo
• RoboPlay Competitions (TK–12)
• Holiday Activities (TK–12)

• SnapConnect technology: With Barobo's patented SnapConnect technology, multiple Linkbots and accessories can be easily connected without special tools to create a wide range of 2D and 3D structures, robot machines, and interactive engineering projects for diverse applications, such as RoboEngineering Expo and RoboPlay Competitions.
• TK-12 versatility: The same robots and programming platform can be used across all grade levels and subject areas, from TK through Grade 12, allowing students to progressively deepen their learning while using familiar tools year after year.
• Unified robotics platform: The resources integrate Linkbots, OmniBot robots, Arduino boards, and sensor-based robotics, providing extensive opportunities to explore robotics, engineering design, and physical computing through a common Linkbot-based platform.
• Ease of programming:  Students can quickly program the robot machines they build, allowing them to focus on engineering design, computational thinking, mathematical problem solving, and innovation while seeing immediate results through interactive activities. 
• LEGO integration: Through LEGO Connection Pack, widely available LEGO® components can easily be incorporated into student-designed Linkbot robot machines, further expanding engineering design possibilities.
• 3D Design and Printing: Students can design and fabricate custom parts using 3D printers to create innovative robotic systems with Linkbots that solve authentic real-world problems.

• Engineering Design Showcase Stations featuring engineering design projects, robot machines, Arduino and sensor-based robotics, physical computing projects, and other student-created engineering innovations developed through the RoboBlocky Curriculum.
• Interactive Robotics Activity Stations featuring RoboToss™ for different grade levels, driving Linkbots and OmniBots using joysticks, measuring distances using ultrasonic sensors, student-created robotics and engineering games, and mathematics- and engineering-based robotics learning experiences developed throughout the RoboBlocky Curriculum.
• Robotics Challenge Stations using the Robotics Challenges for Outreach Programs curriculum to introduce younger students, families, and community members to coding, robotics, mathematics, engineering, and computational thinking through engaging hands-on learning experiences.

RoboPlay is a unique, mathematics-focused, level-playing-field robotics competition for students in grades TK–12.

RoboPlay™ Competitions include RoboPlay Adventure Competitions (K–1) and RoboPlay Challenge Competitions (Grades 2–12).  

Designed around grade-level mathematics skills, the competition fosters teamwork and showcases students’ real-world mathematics problem-solving, engineering design, and creativity under time constraints. Participants use reconfigurable modular Linkbot robots and accessories to creatively solve mathematics adventures and challenges that integrate coding, engineering design, and robotics. Key features of RoboPlay include:

• Equitable and inclusive competition: All teams use the same robotics equipment, and adventures and challenges are revealed on the day of the competition. This ensures a level playing field, eliminating advantages associated with  funding, custom-build robots, or prior preparation.
• Easy classroom implementation: No advance planning required, making the competition ideal for classroom instruction, afterschool programs, and expanded learning programs.
• Curriculum-aligned and cost-effective: All adventures and challenges use the same equipment and curriculum resources already incorporated throughout the RoboBlocky Curriculum, with no additional purchases required. 
• Ongoing access to materials and support: New adventures and challenges are released annually, and Instructors have access to all past adventures, challenges, and sample solution videos. Support is also available for organizing school, district, and regional RoboPlay Competitions.

For more information about the RoboPlay™ Competitions, please click here.

Common Features and Benefits

The RoboBlocky Math, STEAM, Computer Science, and Engineering with Robotics Pathways, and Expanded Learning with Robotics:

• Help students develop mathematical literacy and make meaningful connections between abstract concepts and real-world applications through engaging, hands-on learning experiences.
• Encourage creativity through the engineering design process, allowing students to create robotic machines, engage in storytelling, and design their own RoboBlocky activities and projects.
• Can be implemented at any grade level from TK to Grade 12, supporting flexible classroom, intervention, enrichment, and expanded learning models.
• Include audio and translation options for lessons and activities, supporting accessibility in English and other languages, including Spanish.
• Support engaging learning experiences through both virtual and physical robotics, enabling students to explore coding, problem solving, and computational thinking in multiple ways.

Professional Development

• Barobo offers both online and on-site professional development to support educators in integrating RoboBlocky curricula into classroom instruction and expanded learning programs.

• In collaboration with higher education partners, including UC Merced Professional & Continuing Education and  UC Riverside Professional and Global Education, Barobo supports educators pursuing a Computer Science Supplementary Teaching Credential and related professional learning opportunities. UC Merced also provides Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for participating educators.

• A train-the-trainer program is also available, enabling school districts to conduct their own professional development for teachers, building local capacity and supporting long-term sustainability.

For more information, please click here.

Educator Testimonials

"I like how I can use the curriculum to integrate coding and hands on math to bring math alive for the students …Fun, exciting, and lots of opportunities for kids to learn from their mistakes." --- Catherine Ouellette, Kindergarten Teacher Hacienda La Puente, California "The RoboBlocky curriculum is a godsend for distance learning! Thanks!" --- Robert Beckett, High School Robotics Teacher Manor, Texas “RoboBlocky is awesome! Bringing programming to life with the Linkbot! The materials and online curriculum are fantastic.”  --- Margaret Willett, 9-12th Grade CS Teacher Houston, Texas