Meet Curiosity Atlas, our classroom robot. He is mounted on a scooter board so children can pull him everywhere. Oh, they do. He is beloved. Of course there is a story behind Curiosity Atlas.
We were learning about robots. Children love Spot, Atlas, and Handle- the Boston Dynamics robots. Their song and video is our ‘wake-up’ song every day after nap. Children are glued, and as the days go by, they notice more and more things about the robots. We have started watching videos of Spot and Atlas doing many other jobs. They are asking questions.
We learned about Curiosity, the robot on Mars. Watching how Curiosity landed on Mars was fascinating. Again, the questions flowed, and the children wanted a robot. I looked at Heidi, my wonderful co-teacher.
“Heidi, we need a robot. We can make one.”
Heidi said ‘yes’ before I could finish the sentence. She was off in a flash.
“I’ll be right back!”
There I was with the children, and we speculated what Heidi would find. Anticipation is exciting and wonderful. She returned with a collection of recyclables. Then, everyone got together and created a robot. What was next? Naming the robot, of course. I used the big white board to write every name suggestion, then each child voted on their favorite. It was a tie between Curiosity and Atlas, so our robot became Curiosity Atlas.
Our story does not end there. Curiosity Atlas was just the beginning.
Children were so excited about the new robot that we decided to write a letter to Spot, Atlas, and Handle so they could meet our robot. They wanted to ask questions, too, after watching their videos and having growing questions.
Then we wrote a letter to NASA with another host of questions.
You would think after all these years I wouldn’t be surprised at the questions children ask. Nope! I am always surprised, because children have an unfiltered lens and can see far more than we see, so their questions are always genuine and exciting.
We invited our Groton-Dunstable High School Robotics Club to visit the classroom and bring their robots. They said yes! On a side note, the Robotics Club had invited Boston Dynamics to attend a few years ago. That was a big deal. The Boston Dynamics engineer told the club he was from Groton and had started his school years at Groton Community School. Yes, he was in my class, and I remember him well.
Back to the Robotics Club. The students were wonderful, and so were their robots. High schoolers who can relate to preschoolers is special.
That was a wonderful day! Real robots came to life for the children. I received an email this week from the head of the Robotics Club, telling me how much they loved our giant thank you letter (of course we wrote a giant thank you letter. That’s what we do.) They hung the letter in the big glass case in the high school hallway. Wow!
Learning should always be exciting for children. Thank goodness for robots!
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
This is all so wonderful!
Thank you, Ritu!
So much fun in the midst of so much learning! Thank you for letting us a take a peek at your lessons, Jennie! 😀
My pleasure, Annika! Glad you peeked. 😀
What fun!
Yes! 💕
What an exciting line of exploration and learning you have fostered there in the Aqua room! The Curiosity Atlas looks awesome.
Thank you so much, Deborah!
You’re welcome, Jennie!
It’s wonderful that the kids are being exposed to STEM at an early age, Jennie. A neighbor has a robotic lawn mower. It’s both fascinating and funny to watch it cut grass. Those kids are fortunate to have you.
Thank you, Steve. Much appreciated. They are naturally drawn to things that ‘work’, like robots.
How fantastic is this, Jennie!! You inspire such imagination in your children!
That’s so nice, GP. Thank you.
Oh, Jennie! I literally get chills and tears when I read your writing and experiences. I have this sneaky suspicion that you and the amazing curious kids will receive letters back! You motivate MORE curiosity in kids because you ALLOW them to keep questioning, wondering, exploring in their minds! Then you ACT upon it. What a wonderful robot! And the name is just perfect. How cool that they hung the letter in the hall, too? Tell the kids hooray! You bring such light, love, and hope to us all through the goodness in the growth of the kids you are leading! ♥️💛💕
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Aww 💛 thank you
What a wonderful comment, Karla. My heart is full. ❤️ Thank you, thank you!!
It’s my blessing, Jennie! I mean it to my inner most innards and soul! ❤️❤️❤️
I know you do, which makes it THE best! 😍
Aww 💛💛❤️🥰🌈🌈
Wow! This is all wonderful. I loved the connecting between the pre-schoolers and the high schoolers. Both groups were positively impacted by the exchange. Your students asked really good questions too.
I didn’t know how things would go with the robotics club- so glad it was a great experience for all. I was quite impressed with their questions, too! Thanks so much!!
That is so wonderful! I love that you were able to get two age groups together. That’s so important as they will all have to work together in the adult world. Also, it’s great to see you include things relevant to their world. They will never forget the robot they built. Like I will never forget the mural we created of endangered animals in Miss Roll’s class. (yes, we talked about endangered animals 65 years ago!)
Thank you, Darlene! The high schoolers were just wonderful. Yes, getting along in a broad mixed age will give them life skills. I always love any reference you make to Miss Roll. Endangered animals 65 years ago…wow!
Brilliant stuff Jennie, love Curiosity Atlas, so cute!
Thanks so much, FR! Curiosity Atlas really is adorable.
I love how little ideas grow and grow into big learning opportunities in your class. Thanks for sharing, Jennie.
Yes, they really do. Thank you John. Teachers call it emergent curriculum where the interests of the children drives the boat. Teachers just need to pay attention and latch on. It’s a great ride for everyone. 🙂
It sure is. 😁
😀
Wow Jennie, this is great and so much fun to watch! I wish I ‘d had a teacher with your engaging qualities! Thank you for sharing the insights with us.
Thanks so much, Dina! Your words mean quite a lot.
I absolutely love, love how this grew into an irreplaceable learning experience
Thank you so very much, Beth! It really grew in the best of ways. Maybe we’ll get a letter from NASA. Hubby tells me I’m a dreamer. I think that’s a complement. 😍
anything is possible and exactly what you are teaching the children. dreamers are so important in our world. I see that as a huge compliment
Beautifully said, Beth! Thank you!
Oh! Jennie this is just amazing to think you taught The Boston Dynamics Engineer and remembered him …that is amazing!
Do let’s us know if you get letters back from Spot ,Atlas and Handel as well as NASA that woul be so cool to see what they say.
I love that your thank you letter is on show at the older childrens school. 💜💜
Yes!! That was really amazing that he was my student. I remember reading a book to the group and telling the children when the book was written, the year I was born.
He said, “Jennie, the book isn’t even ripped!” Isn’t that great? I really DO hope we get a letter from the Boston Dynamics robots and/or NASA. I will absolutely post that if/when it happens!! We write so many giant thank you letters, it was very special to learn it’s hanging at the high school. Best to you, and many, many thanks, Willow. 💕
I hope both NASA and the Dynamic Robots do reply. You and the children deserve that at the very least. It would be great publicity for them too 💜💜💚🤣🤣🤞🤣
I’m in total agreement with you!! 😍
The teaching you are giving these children leads to so many more options than they would otherwise have in life. They are exposed to more and learn to think more than most children in this country and much of the world. Asking questions is the first step. What a gift you give them. I wonder if they know it or if their parents get that idea?
I don’t think children know otherwise. Parents certainly appreciate what we do, but it becomes even more apparent after their child moves on to an older class. Options are good, and asking questions is even better. Thank you so much, Marlene!
I love your class robot, and the joy of the children is SO infectious! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
Thank you so much, Pete! 🥰
This is so much FUN! Oh my goodness, Curiosity Atlas is a stylish dude, rather homespun in his own fashion, and makes me happy just looking at him. The questions to NASA are perfect. I’m smiling here.
He is definitely a stylish dude! 💕 I love the questions, too! I’m hoping we get a letter back from NASA!🤞 So glad you’re smiling, Ally!
This is pos-i-lutely fabulous, Jennie. Big hugs.
That’s so nice, Teagan. Thank you!! 💕
Another wonderful post, Jennie.
Thank you so much, Anneli!
Jennie, everyone looks like they had a blast with the robotics interaction. I think Curiosity Atlas is gonna be a lot of people’s favorite robot now!
The really did, Bruce. Isn’t Curiosity Atlas the best? Many thanks!
Curiosity is the first step! Well done!
Yes! Thank you, Pam.
This post was sheer delight from beginning to end. I have a big, goofy grin plastered all over my face!
I’m so glad! Thank you for your joy and delight in reading, and for your kind words. Thanks so much, Liz.
You’re welcome, Jennie!
That is wonderful. It is a great learning experience. They are young robotics engineers. I am pretty impressed by Boston Dynamics.
Thank you. They are young robotic engineers, and I am very impressed by Boston Dynamics, too.
I love this post, Jennie. You are so wonderful to encourage their curiosity.
Thanks so much, Dan! 🥰
You have the best ideas, Jennie. Bridging the gap between different generations is such a great idea. I especially like seeing high schoolers in leadership positions. It has to be so good for their self-esteem.
Thanks, Pete. Connecting generations is a wonderful thing. It reminds me of Milly the quilter. I think the high schoolers had as much fun as the children did. Once we pick a theme for the month, we go with the flow if there is a strong interest. 🙂
With the advent of AI,I wonder If robots will ever replace teachers?
That would be so sad, because it would be all academics. How could a robot understand and relate to shy, angry, bossy, struggling, etc.?
they’ve had facial recognition for years now and yes they do have robots that can analyze the face and understand the state of the person, but the human touch will never be replaced.
Exactly!
Wonderfully exciting, Jennie. Great learning.
Thank you, Norah! 😍
Hi Jennie! Thank you for this wonderful post!
How much fun you have in your classroom. I love how you expose your little ones to many exciting and interesting things.🤖💕
Welcome, Curiosity Atlas! I believe you will find lots to explore being surrounded by Jennie’s Aqua Roomers students – especially as they pull you around their homeroom.
🙂
How adorable. I love the way you open up the world for your kids, Jennie!
Thank you, Mitch! Of course I’m still hoping we get a letter from NASA. 😀
I can’t wait until you get your letters from Nasa and the robots, Jennie. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least. And how fun to have the Robotics Club show off their robots for the kids. And of course, Curiosity Atlas is a wonderful mascot for the classroom. As always, you make learning fun. ❤ ❤
I do hope we get letters! The Robotics Club was the best. Thanks so much, Diana. I wish every child had fun while learning.
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Leaning with fun is so wonderful. I hope you will get a response from the NASA very soon, Jennie! Be prepared for a journey to Mars.;-) xx Michael
I hope so, too! A trip to Mars would be wonderful!! We just got a response from the Boston Dynamics robots, and their engineers want to Zoom with the children. 😀