Shop Subscribe

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Schoolyard Blog | Teacher Resources | School Specialty

Classroom must haves for teachers plus essential teacher supplies, lesson plans and activities.

schoolyard-logo
  • Education Essentials
  • Inspiration & Planning
  • Learning Spaces
  • Podcasts
  • Topics
  • Search
  • < Previous post
    Next post >
    graphic blog banner for schoolyard podcast discussing robotics in schools with host nancy chung and guest naomi hartl

    STEAM & STEM
    School Specialty • Aug 31, 2023 • Last Modified: Sep 20, 2023

    The Schoolyard Podcast Episode 5: Surprise Benefits of Robotics in Schools & Where to Start

    Robotics in schools has become increasingly important in today’s educational landscape. Join host Nancy Chung as she interviews Naomi Hartl, STEM Subject Matter Expert for School Specialty. Nancy and Naomi discuss how integrating robotics into the curriculum provides students valuable hands-on experience and fosters critical thinking skills.

    Learning From Mistakes

    One of the most valuable aspects of learning robotics is the opportunity to learn through mistakes. In robotics, failure is not seen as a setback but as a stepping stone towards success. When students encounter challenges and their robots don’t work as expected, they are encouraged to analyze the problem, make adjustments, and try again.

    This iterative process teaches them resilience, problem-solving, and the importance of perseverance. By allowing students to experience challenges in a safe and supportive environment, robotics education helps them develop a growth mindset. They learn that mistakes are a natural part of learning and that success often comes after multiple attempts. This mindset is not only beneficial in robotics but also in other areas of their lives.

    nancy chung interviewing naomi hartl
    Naomi Hartl, STEM Subject Matter Expert, interviewed by host Nancy Chung

    Fostering Teamwork and Inclusion

    One of the most critical skills gained through robotics is the ability to work in a team.

    Everybody has a role to play. Everybody has a position that they’re in and there are some that thrive in certain areas over others. And you work together as a team.

    Naomi Hartl, STEM Subject Matter Expert

    This team aspect and the ability to integrate robotics into other subject areas make it a great opportunity to promote inclusion in the classroom. It helps students in special education with self-regulation, self-determination, and socialization. It also opens up options for teaching students at different levels of understanding. Inclusion is vital for students of all abilities, and robotics is a tool that can help us encourage inclusive classrooms.

    Robotics isn’t just for the elite students. Robotics can support anybody and everybody.

    Naomi Hartl

    Tips for Funding a Robotics Program

    • Start small. Expensive equipment doesn’t need to be added immediately. Start young students, as young as Kindergarten, with free online coding courses.
    • Make calls to local companies. Specifically, look at local businesses that have, or will have, a need for future employees to be proficient with coding.
    • Apply for grants. Many organizations are invested in furthering education in robotics.
    • Community involvement. Whether it’s a big city or small town, community members are often excited and willing to support new programs in their schools.
    • Integrate into other subject areas. In the spirit of starting small, you also don’t need a complete, independent robotics program right from the start. You can work coding and robotics into many core subject areas. Even outside math and science, there are creative ways to integrate robotics into ELA, the arts (turn STEM into STEAM!), and even physical education.

    Naomi Hartl is not shy about her passion for all things science and STEM and making a positive impact on the lives of educators and students. For over 3 years, she taught middle and high school content, plus an additional year teaching elementary content. She has taught physical education, multiple levels of math, and science, and has also worked in Product Development and Curriculum writing for four years. Naomi holds an Oregon teaching license for PreK through grade 12 health and physical education, plus a Saskatchewan Profession “A” Teaching License. She has presented at international, national, state, and local conferences.

    Tagged With: Professional Development - STEM/STEAM

    Comments

    1. Rich Evangelista says

      Sep 5, 2023 at 1:30 pm

      Great work as always Naomi!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Recommended

    It’s Time for Science Podcast Episode 5: Taking Science Education Outside

    Podcasts

    It’s Time for Science Podcast Episode 5: Taking Science Education Outside

    The Schoolyard Podcast Episode 6: How to Spark Parent Involvement and Fuel Family Engagement

    Out of School

    The Schoolyard Podcast Episode 6: How to Spark Parent Involvement and Fuel Family Engagement

    It’s Time for Science Podcast Episode 4: Comics in the Classroom

    Science

    It’s Time for Science Podcast Episode 4: Comics in the Classroom

    The Schoolyard Podcast Episode 4: Setting the Tone for Back to School

    Back to School

    The Schoolyard Podcast Episode 4: Setting the Tone for Back to School

    Explore The Schoolyard

    Education Essentials

    Inspiration & Planning

    Learning Spaces

     

    TopicsShop Subscribe

    Copyright © 2023 School Specialty, LLC. All rights reserved. Privacy Statement · Social Media Statement · Do Not Sell My Personal Information - CA Resident Only

  • CATEGORIES

    • Education Essentials
    • Inspiration & Planning
    • Learning Spaces
  • TOPICS

    • Arts & Crafts
    • Early Childhood
    • Special Needs
    • Physical Education
    • Educational Technology
    • Student Resources
    • Organization & Storage
    • Classroom Management
    • STEAM & STEM
    • 21st Century Learning
    • Reading & Literacy
    • Healthy Students
    • Teacher Life
    • Back to School
    • Celebrations & Seasons
    • Out of School
    • News
    • Math
    • Science
    • Podcasts
    • Topics
    • Shop
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube