The Robot Invasion

This project brings robotics education and project-based learning into the content-area classroom through a series of integrated, web-based, thematic units written for grades 4-5, 6-8, and 9-12.

The Units and Lessons
The units follow a robotics storyline. Through engaging, hands-on experiences involving math, science, technology, and ELA, students learn robotics skills in the following sequence:

Grades 4-5: A group of robots visit the classroom. Students learn what robots are, how they work, and how they are used in today’s world.
Grades 6-8: The robots are captured as they leave the elementary school. Students learn about the history of robotics and continue to develop their building skills so they can rescue the robots.
Grades 9-12: Students learn about the future of robotics, continue to develop their building skills, debate the pros and cons of our high tech world, and explore career opportunities in the field.

The lessons in each of the three units have the following features:

1. A grid identifying STEM and ELA standards addressed in each lesson
2. Clearly written robotics objectives for each lesson
3. Step by step procedures
4. Evaluation suggestions
5. Extension activities that teachers can use to further develop skills in robotics, connect to another curriculum area, or accommodate special needs.
6. Tie-ins to brain-based learning strategies through Neuron-O-Bot, the unit mascot and “guide”