Mathematics with Robotics & CS/STEAM with Robotics
For Classroom and Distance Learning
RoboBlocky is an integrated learning environment (ILE) for learning mathematics, computer science, science, technology, engineering, and art with robotics.The RoboBlocky curriculum supports K-12 students for both personalized and collaborative learning of Mathematics with Robotics, CS/STEAM with Robotics, and Afterschool and Summer Robotics Camps for Learning Math. The lessons and activities, and related audios are presented in English and other languages such as Spanish for English language learners.The curriculum:
- Increases student engagement and enthusiasm with hands-on computing and robotics
- Helps students gain math literacy and make meaningful connections between abstract concepts and real-life applications through over 9,500 lessons and activities
- May be used sequentially, following the suggested order in the provided grade-level curriculum, or as a supplemental tool, choosing from among lessons and activities as appropriate and needed
- Encourages creativity with makerspace activities, storytelling, and creating RoboBlocky activities
- Is compliant with established math and computer science standards
- Facilitates distance learning with virtual and/or hardware robots using a web browser in any device, including smartphones
- Enables personalized learning and exploration across subjects and grade-levels at students' own pace
- Offers a low floor for beginners and a high ceiling for advanced students, providing a smooth transition from drag-and-drop block-based coding to text-based programming in C/C++
- Eases teacher start-up rapidly with interactive and video tutorials, full-featured Class Management System for homework assignment and grading, instant response and student feedback system for use in classrooms and distance learning, and tests and assessment
- Supports teaching innovation by allowing teachers to create their own lessons and activities tailored to their students' needs and interests.
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"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 "The RoboBlocky curriculum is a godsend for distance learning! Thanks!" --- Robert Beckett, High School Robotics Teacher “RoboBlocky is awesome! Bringing programming to life with the Linkbot! The materials and online curriculum are fantastic.” --- Margaret Willett, 9-12th Grade CS Teacher |
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Free Curriculum on Math, Computer Science, and Robotics
These freely available activities are designed to be student self-guided. Students can complete these activities on their own or teachers can lead them. See the User's Guide for Getting Started with Free Curriculum on Robotics, CS, and Math to learn how to use this free curriculum.
| Hour of Robot | Hour of Code | Math | Robotics | Coding |
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Prime Curriculum on Mathematics with Robotics and CS/STEAM with Robotics
The Prime Curriculum below is for authorized instructors and their students for classrom or distance learning. The math courses in this curriculum are compliant with the Common Core Math Standards (and, in some cases, standards of certain states). Alignment information for many popular math textbooks is also included. Most lessons for CS/STEAM with Robotics curriculum have accompanying video tutorials.The CS/STEAM courses for grades K-2 are compliant with Computer Science Standards, with grades 3 and above to follow soon. The curriculum supports students for both personalized and collaborative learning in multiple contexts, including classroom, remediation, intervention, supplemental, enrichment, acceleration, and expanded learning.
For licensing information for access to the Prime Curriculum and the RoboBlocky Class Management System for instructors, please contact us.
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The Common-Core-compliant Mathematics with Robotics curriculum employs hands-on computing and robotics activities to boost students’ interest and engagement in learning math (they learn while having fun!):
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Explore thousands of Common Core compliant lessons and activities
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Help make meaningful connections between abstract math concepts and real-life applications
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Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills
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Allow personalized learning and exploration
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Conduct collaborative learning and teamwork
Customize your use: Teachers may use the lessons and activities sequentially, following the suggested order in each grade-level course, or as a supplemental tool, choosing from among them as appropriate and needed (including activities from different grade levels to personalize activities for the variety of student levels in a class). The activities may also be used for both formative and summative assessments.
Prior coding or robotics experience is not required. We recommend that instructors review the "Getting Started with RoboBlocky" series of video lessons, which cover the basics of RoboBlocky. Instructors may then communicate the key concepts to their students, as appropriate, and/or have their students in Grade 3+ also view the videos.
The Mathematics with Robotics curriculum has had proven success in increasing student engagement and learning. One school in the Los Angeles area saw its 3rd grade math standardized test passing rate increase from 51% to 88% over a four year period, an increase of 72%! View 3rd grade students from this school with robots in action in this video, and see more of K-2 students learning math with coding and robotics in both English and Spanish through distance learning here.
Increase in Standard SBAC Math Scores by 72% over 4 Years!
More success stories can be found here.
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The Computer Science Standards compliant CS/STEAM with Robotics curriculum motivates and engages students in learning fundamentals of computer science (CS), science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) by using hands-on interactive robotics lessons and activities with virtual and/or hardware robots. In addition students gain experience and skills in:
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Logical thinking and reasoning
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Reading, following directions, and sequential thinking
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Spatial relations and fine motor coordination
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Mathematical modeling and graphing
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Scientific explorations and error analysis
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Arts (music and drawing) and design
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Personalized learning and exploration
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Collaborative learning and teamwork skills
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Makerspaces and building their own robots as culminating projects with hardware
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Making the transition from block-based coding to text-based programming in C/C++
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Physical computing using Arduino with electronics and sensors (Grades 3+)
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Creative storytelling as comprehensive projects for collaboration and distance learning (Grade 5+)
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Sensor-based robotics (Grade 6+)
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Creating lessons/activities for others to use (Grades 9-12)
Each course in the curriculum, independent of others, is tailored for a specific grade taking into account cognitive abilities and math levels. Prior coding or robotics experience is not required for each grade level. Each course may be used as a stand-alone curriculum, to supplement existing courses (science, art, etc.), or to support the corresponding Mathematics with Robotics course above.
| Robotics Camp A: Grades TK-K | Robotics Camp B: Grades 1-2 | Robotics Camp C: Grades 3-5 | Robotics Camp D: Grades 6-8 | Robotics Camp E: Grades 9-12 |
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Afterschool and Summer Robotics Camps for Learning Math/CS are designed for our partners to host for their students locally. The camps focus on the cognitive and socio-emotional aspects of learning, alleviate some of the distress caused by the pandemic, and bring fun back to learning. They empower K-12 students for accelerated and deeper learning of math and CS through robotics projects and the solution of real-world problems using math concepts, and at the same time provide students with recreational and teamwork opportunities with peer-mentoring. The camp curricula engage students in hands-on learning of math, seamlessly integrated with coding, engineering, science, art, and music via robotics. For more information see this page.
Training is also provided for First-Time Instructors: The UC Davis C-STEM Center can provide two 2-4 hour professional development sessions to prepare instructors to conduct the camp at per-scheduled time. If there is a large cohort of instructors from the same school district, a tailored PD can be arranged. No prior coding and robotics experience is needed.