My classroom, the Aqua Room, is ‘crushing’ robots this year. Every day a child talks about Curiosity on Mars. Every day we watch the Boston Dynamics robots. Back in December we wrote a giant letter to NASA, and to the robots at Boston Dynamics.
NASA did not reply, but late in January I received an email from Boston Dynamics asking if their engineers could video with the children. YES! What a wonderful event.
Emily, Adam, and Radhika were terrific. They showed videos of the robots, answered questions, and told us about the new robots.
Atlas is cool, so is Spot. Handle is no longer made because he did not balance well on wheels. He has been replaced by Stretch. The video chat was a wonderful give-and-take of children asking questions, and the engineers asking questions. Here is what we learned:
Stretch uses vacuum suction to pick up heavy objects.
Cameras are on the robots.
Spot is beginning to learn to draw, using markers.
Robots cannot pick us up because they are too strong and might hurt us.
‘D’ jobs are the dirty, dull, dangerous jobs.
The engineers asked the children, “What would you like the robots to learn how to do next?”
Make dinner, play with more toys, dance with more songs.
The engineers smiled and nodded. They cared. They know they’re inspiring future Roboticists. We had a final dance with robots.
Of course we thanked them.
A few weeks later a card arrived in the mail, an answer to our original letter back in December.
We checked out the AI Institute, TikTok, and two Spots dancing the Tango. The card included Spot and Atlas stickers for the children.
This weekend was our school’s annual Open House for prospective families to visit. I was trying to explain to a parent who was asking about curriculum (“Do you have planned learning and themes?”) how we plan…but often the interests of the children take a different path. I said, “If we follow the interests of the children, then the greatest learning takes place.” I then gave her the example of Robots.
Imagine if I stuck to my lesson plans this year and did not, or could not, include robots. No, I can’t imagine.
I then told the parent the story of Andrew, early on in my teaching. I was a good teacher, planned carefully, loved children- all the right stuff. Andrew was a child I hadn’t really connected with. Every teacher has children like that, right? At rest time everyone had fallen asleep except Andrew. We both looked across the room at each other and smiled. There was nobody else in the whole wide world. It was a deep moment. It changed my teaching forever, and everything I did became child-centered. That was the start of being a real teacher.
The parent understood. She could see that learning works if teachers pay attention to children. I added, “Of course the recipe has gallons of love and laughter thrown in.” We both laughed.
Cheers to Robots!
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
I love this project and the connections made. the joy and learning are huge. and the memories will never fade
Hear, hear, Beth. Thank you!
Loved this post Jennie, I hope all your students grow up and make robots!
I hope so, too! Thank you, FR.
This is s a great post, Jennie. Your kids are so curious, and you are so supportive to help them pursue that curiosity. The companies that respond to your requests are heroes in the community. Thanks for sharing this experience with us.
Many thanks, Dan. Yes, the companies who respond are definitely heroes. The kids are curious! They still talk about Curiosity on Mars, and today we told them about the robot, Odysseus, who landed on the moon last week.
Again Jennie I am in awe of you and the Aqua Room 💜
That’s so nice, Willow. Thank you. 🥰
Jennie you are golden.
🥰
This is so awesome. Bringing the future into learning is so important. And to know that companies will take the time to spend with future generations is good to hear.
Yes, yes! Thank you, Darlene. Today we told children about the robot who landed on the moon last week. It’s been 50 years. So exciting!
I LOVED that video! Your kids now know more about this project than I do!
Thanks so much, Jacqui! So glad you loved the video. Kids often know more than I do. 😀
Jennie, what an amazing post! I’m just giddy! Oh, my heart is so full watching you DANCE with the KIDS! How awesome of a ZOOM time with the engineers and learning about Spot, Stretch, and Atlas (sorry, Handle!). What wonderful learning, curiosity in the questions, and also, the future learning that will take place because of the “seed” all of you have planted inside those little minds and souls! It’s “out of this world” Jennie! You spark so much energy, love, and learning! It’s a catalyst for growth and enthusiasm! It’s amazing what the kids know now! I have this feeling that robotics will be in the future for some of them! Thank you, Jennie, for ALL YOU DO! You are the bees’ knees. And,….nice moves! I wanna dance with you all! Love, Karla🌈💛💕🎶🤖 P.S.–Your kids might like the song (on Youtube) “I Am a Robot” song by Kimberly Steward (my little 3 yr old granddaughter wanted me to play this over and over when I was in K.C.)
Karla, you are such a champion for teaching and my preschool class. Thank you, thank you!! 💕
It’s MY pleasure! I always share your stuff with my bonus daughters!! And others! I’m in good company with the ultimate champion for kids—YOU! ❤️
I noticed that the girls got into the dancing a lot more than the boys did. Not surprising though. I think it’s always been that way. Looks like they had fun.
Yes, I think it’s always been that way. They had so much fun!
I can see that!
Oh that’s awesome that they were able to video conference with the engineers. So cool.
It really was, Bruce! Thank you!
How wonderful for the children that they received feedback from the Boston Dynamics Team! On another tack, I was always the one who did not sleep in my nursery class. I can remember lying on that camp bed wide awake every day after lunch.
Yes, it was wonderful. Thanks, Stevie. The non-sleepers, like you, often have the best relationships with teachers. 🙂
Hi Jennie, You are an extraordinary teacher!
You are very kind, Charles. Thank you!
Fabulous Robot Project – so lovely and sweet but in line with the world. You are a fab teacher
Well said, as children need both worlds. Thank you!
Fantastic! I’ll bet those Spot and Atlas stickers are a hit, too!
Yes, they are a very big hit! Thank you, Laura.
Jennie, I love the idea of following the curiosity and interests of the students instead of just providing an “inflexible” curriculum and study path. So cool those engineers made themselves available to facilitate the learning that much more!
You hit the nail on the head, Bruce. That’s exactly how teaching and learning should be. Yes, it was so cool that the engineers wanted to connect with the children. I want to say to NASA, “NASA, I know you are super busy and just landed a robot on the moon, but get over yourself and give a moment to the next generation.” Sigh.
Thank you for such a fun and uplifting post! I have a big ole grin plastered all over my face.
I’m so glad you have a big grin, Liz. Uplifting is a great feeling .😀
It is!
😀
Oh! I meant to add that teaching children to follow their curiosity wherever it leads will serve them well in the workplace. It’s just the kind of thinking that is needed for solving intractable problems.
Well said! Critical, divergent thinkers make a difference, and curiosity will lead them in that direction. Just typing that makes me excited for children!
Thank you, Jennie! Just typing my comment made me excited for children and the adults they will become.
Hooray! That really is the way they wiil become.
😀
What a great update on the robots, Jennie. I can’t imagine how exciting it is for the children to be involved in discussions about robots with the people who design the,. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, John. It was truly exciting for the children. I was stunned when they asked the children what the robots should do next. The engineers cared, and the children responded.
Great.
What a different world it would be if schools allowed children to learn not forced them.
Jennie, your example of allowing the children to guide you on what you teach is outstanding. That is how school should be ….. so many children will learn so much more that way. I don’t know how you manage to get around the year curriculum by doing what you are, but I applaud you. And then some!! You are changing the definition of what a teacher is!! xo
I’m glad you understand! Thank you!
Major props to the folks at Boston Dynamics. They didn’t have to connect with your class, but moments like this stay with kids and are likely to inspire them.
Well said, Pete. These are the moments that children remember. I can’t say enough wonderful things about this group of robotisits.
Roboticists—Thanks for teaching me a new word. Have a great day, my friend.
It was a new word for me, too. The robot group said I was developing ‘future roboticists’. I had to look up the word!
How exciting to hear back from Boston Dynamics and see and speak with the engineers! I’m sure the kids will remember that forever. What a special experience. Keep on dancin’!
I loved the robots and such sweet letters done by the children and answers given by the three people. So cute and beautiful. Very interesting and inspiring post Jennie. Thanks a lot 😊😊😊
Thank you, Kamal! 🥰
Welcome Jennie 😊🙏
By the time they go to college, AI and Robots will be as familiar to those youngsters as cinemas and TV were to our generation. It’s great that they are learning about their own future even before it happens.
Best wishes, Pete.
Well said, Pete. You are spot on.
Hats off to the engineers!
Yes, indeed!
Such a wonderful learning experience for your students, Jennie! They are so lucky to have you.
Thank you, Becky!
Always enjoy seeing what you’re doing with your classes:)
😀
Jennie, what an amazing experience for you and the children! I felt inspired just reading this and I wouldn’t be surprised if many here go on to take up science and perhaps even robotics in adult life. I LOVE the video of you all dancing along – bopping along in my chair! 😀
Thanks so much, Annika! I do hope some of these children take to science or engineering, even robotics. I’m glad you liked the dancing video! The whole experience has been wonderful. 😀
Wow, Jennie. Just amazing! I loved this and reread it to my husband. We were laughing and just about as excited hearing about it as the kids were to experience it. You are a treasure to these children and it’s so wonderful to see that Boston Dynamics knew the value of their participation. :-) Great post.
Thank you for your lovely comment, Diana! I’m so glad you enjoyed this. 😀
Absolutely cheers to robots. My son, Greg, is studying robotics as one of his third year courses.
Yes, big cheers! How exciting for Greg to study robotics. I learned that someone who makes robots is called a roboticist.
Yes, that is correct 🥰
😀
Wow, another great milestone for creating new engineers realizing a better future. Jennie, you are unbelievable creative in making important connections for their future. Best wishes, Michael
You are so kind, Michael. Thank you!
Wonderful!
Thanks so much, Norah! 🥰
Did you hear, today Boston Dynamics posted a Farewell to Atlas video on YouTube. I a bit surprised that I had a real emotional feeling of sadness about it. Probably because the video is filled with its struggles, learning, and overcoming all the challenges. On the other hand I am wondering what comes next! Something absolutely blow your socks off amazing I’m sure. Just like Atlas did.
That didn’t take long. A new Humanoid Robot is Boston Dynamics Newest invention!
https://x.com/BostonDynamics/status/1780603212359205323
How cool! I’ll show this to the children this week. Thanks, Deborah! Now, I wonder what the robot’s name is?
When you find out let us all know please! 😀
Will do!
Really great. I love this very much.