Children love robots. They’re a great introduction to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) learning, and robots are very cool. I invited our local Groton-Dunstable High School Robotics Club – The Robotomies – to visit the Aqua Roomers with their robots. My goodness, they were wonderful!
There was a robot who was a giant square with lights,
traveling on the rug like a zooming hovercraft.
There was a robot that delivered a red ball to children, after racing around the rug.
These were just a few of their many robots.
Then the real magic happened; the high schoolers sat with their robots and children gravitated to them. There were clusters of deep discussions and excitement. I watched children asking questions and learning about robots. I watched high school students connecting with children, teaching them about robots.
As a teacher, this was one of those ‘moments’. I knew this was big. The span of a generation didn’t matter. Everyone was ‘in the zone’.
The Robotomies
The next day we made our own robot out of recycled materials. Children picked the materials and gave her a name – Snowman. Yes, Snowman is a girl.
She rested on a scooter board, so she could be pulled around the classroom and in the hallway. As you can imagine, Snowman was very popular. So, we decided to write a story about her. These are the words of the children:
ROBOT STORY
“Once upon a time there was a robot named Snowman. She’s going to see a monster. The monster will go away. Then she’s going to see a cow. The cow mooed. The monster honked on the horn at the cow. The cow mooed at Snowman. Then a wolf came and scared Snowman. Then the wolf walked away. A dog will come and make Snowman feel better and lick her. Snowman went home to see her robot Mom and Dad.” ~THE END~
What has happened here is what teachers call emergent curriculum, paying attention to the interests of the children, and letting that be the pathway guide to learning. Science, math, engineering, literacy, music, and art were all a piece of the pie. When children are engaged and interested, learning happens!
We will always love robots, especially the Boston Dynamics robots. It was their video recorded at Logan Airport in Boston that triggered our passion for robots.
On a side note, one of the engineers at Boston Dynamics was in my class years ago. Full circle, right?
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
Wow. What an exciting process for your kids. They did a great job with Snowman. Everytime I had high schoolers in my Grade 5 class to teach something or help, they always went far beyond any preconceived expectations what one could imagine. Back when i taught in Ontario, they had for Grade 9 or 10(can’t remember) – “Take Your Kid To Work Day.” She was the hit of the class. The kids were engaged with her in what she was getting them to do. I could have left to handle things all day.
That is a wonderful story! I’m not surprised at all, as teenagers are often the best ‘givers’. Thanks, Glen.
Absolutely.
Good to see the delight and fun mixed with learning. Those little ones are going to become adults in a world changed so much from what we knew. I remember being given a robot toy in the 1950s, and I was mesmerised by it. It was based on Robbie The Robot from the film Forbidden Planet, similar to this one. (The first one in the video) Best wishes, Pete.
Thanks, Pete. Experiences like this one can make a big difference for children. I want that robot!! Well, I really want three of them so there won’t be arguing over who gets to play with it. Love the video!
These are wonderful experiences you are providing your children, Jennie. This will make a difference in their lives.
That’s so nice, Dan. Thank you.
Your children will never forget the days in your classes, Jennie. Wish you would teach other teachers how to be so good at reaching.
That’s so nice, GP. Thank you! Interesting that you commented on my teaching teachers. Dave Williams is posting my post about just that February 5th. Also, I want to write a book about my 40 years of teaching.
Terrific!!
Why do we like robots? Is it our fascination with figuring out the tiny steps that make up what we do so easily, and then making something that will repeat those steps an infinite number of times without getting tired or upset or really, really bored? Is it us wondering if we can make an obedient superman? If we make something in our own image that’s faster, stronger, more reliable, non-aging, and of course, completely obedient to our commands, then… Are we gods? Or just parents?
Robots. What’s not to love
I like your thinking, Barb. Yes, the bottom line is ‘what’s not to love.’
Love all of this, Jennie. Reminds me of one of my former students who – even as a college student – remembered his elementary school teachers who supported his love of robotics competitions when his parents poo-poohed them…and now he’s a noted engineer and inventor. 🥰
What a great story! See, believing in and supporting students makes such difference. What grade did you teach? Did you know Pete Springer visited my classroom? That was a wonderful day! We have the same philosophy, just like you do. 💕
I taught first year college students…and some sophomores. Wonderful teachers (just like you and Pete) make a difference…I could see it in so many of my students. Especially the one who came to mind when I read your post! 🥰
Ah…that’s wonderful! 💕
🥰🥰🥰
Wow what an excellent and exciting post Jennie. So nice to see the robots and inspiring story too🤗🙏😊
Thanks so much, Kamal! 😍
Jennie, I love every aspect of these activities. What an inspiration to invite the high school robotics club to visit. I’m sure they loved it as much as your children! I’m going to try some of these ideas with my granddaughters when we visit to celebrate their third birthday. Thank you for brightening my day with your inspiring story! Susan
Susan!! It’s so good to hear from you. Yes, they loved it as much as the children did. I just finished sending this blog post along with a long note to the high school principal, so he can recognize these wonderful students. How exciting that your granddaughters are three – the perfect age for trying these ideas, reading great books, and so many joys of discovery. Have fun at the birthday celebration, and thank you for your kind words. Best to you, Susan.
How fun! I loved your kids’ reactions–and that Boston Dynamics video was stunning!
It was fun! The kids’ reactions are the best. Oh, how I love that Boston Dynamics video. You should have been a fly on the wall when I accidentally discovered it while searching for a jeep safari video to show the children -go figure. I leaped up like a crazy person, because the class that year were builders and future engineers, and because it was one of the greatest songs from my junior high school days. I ran around the room showing the kids the video (of course they loved it), and we wrote a big thank you to Boston Dynamics. They replied, and we still Zoom with their engineers. 🙂
what a wonderful experience, a mix of ages, stages, robots and humans! so rich with learning
The mix made it all the better! 💕
Well of course Snowman is a girl. She’s know as Snowy to her closest friends. 😉
Yes! 😍
This an amazing post and love that the older children and their teachers were happy to mix with the littlest ….
I bet you are so proud that one of your students now works in this field 💜💜💜💜
It was wonderful to sit back and watch the older and younger children. I emailed the principal of the high school to tell him! Yes, I am SO proud of my former student!! Thank you, Willow. 💕
so good to see your hard work come to fruition 💜💜
Thanks so much, Willow! 🥰
What fun for everyone involved, including the teacher. I love that the teenagers connected with the little ones. And your former student is an engineer at Boston Dynamics! That is so awesome. PS I love Snowman. She is perfect!
Yes on all counts! The fun, the connection, and my former student…sounds like a hat trick. And Snowman is perfect.😍
Utterly delightful, Jennie. And I love how the kids were inspired to make their own robot and give her a story! What amazing fun.
Thank you, Diana! Inspiring children is the best, as they run with it and create amazing things. I’m so glad you liked this story!
How cool that was for the children, and I imagine the High Schoolers too. Snowman is one neat looking robot!
It was so cool, Deborah! I had to write to the high school principal to tell him how wonderful his students were. I’m so glad I did! Everyone loved Snowman. 🙂
Terrific Jennie. I’m sure the highschoolers got a kick out of showing the younger kids how things worked. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, John. Yes, the high schoolers did. Interestingly, when they focused on letting the children come to them and their robots, the heavens opened. I emailed the high school principal to tell him.
Wonderful.
🙂
😊
Great experience for the kids!
Yes! Thank you, Anneli.
Sheer delight for participants and readers alike!
I couldn’t agree more! Thank you, Liz.
You’re welcome, Jenny!
Aw, Jennie, this post just kept getting better the more I read. Instead of always having a predetermined lesson plan, I LOVE that you look for opportunities and let the students’ interests drive the curriculum. Carpe diem! Of course, you know I love that one of the Robotimies used to be in your classroom
Oh, Pete, you know I am smiling and nodding and ‘with you’ on everything here. If only all teachers could/would be able to really see what children like and use that to direct teaching, right? When I found out that my former student worked for Boston Dynamics, it was because he was at a GDRHS Robotics Club competition, representing Boston Dynamics. Full circle!
How exciting for the Aquaroomers. I love that the highschool kids sat and shared with them, a great experience all around. I loved that video of Do You Love Me. I know my grandkids would love to see it.
It was so exciting, Carla! Yes, what a great experience for everyone. The robot video continues to be a favorite. Your grandkids will love it. Easy to find it on YouTube. The yellow dog is named Spot.
That looks like a lot of fun and Boston Dynamics are amazing
Yes, and yes!!
Love it!
😍
How wonderful, Jennie!
Thank you, Miriam!
You are always welcome dear Jennie 🙏💞
Snowman – she’s ‘sunshine in a cup’. 😉
Yes, she is! 😍
What a delightful post, Jennie! Love the robots, the connection between the highschoolers and the littles, the emergent curriculum. Brilliant!
Thank you, Wynne!
Wonderful lesson, Jennie. If not the robotics world, you can be sure that more than one of your students will go into some aspect of STEM as a result of your influence. I remember bring so impressed by an engineering program for young people I attended at Worcester Polytechnic University that I wanted to become an engineer, myself. Then, I took high school physics and changed course. On a separate note, I wish I could dance like those robots.
I’m smiling big time, Steve, because you are right. Interestingly, the robotics club has a competition next month at WPI. Engineering and physics…wow! No wonder you brought so many great questions to students at your Curbside Classroom! As to dancing like those robots, I remember that song like it was yesterday, and still try to dance with them. The children love it!
It’s a great song to ‘shake your booty’ to and have fun dancing, like the robots. I forwarded your post by to our son/d-i-l for them to be amazed at your classroom prowess. I think your use of outside resources is outstanding. There are plenty of ‘teachers’ within our communities who can lend some level of expertise to the classroom topic. Older students, robot builders, public leaders, even school crossing guards can be useful classroom contributors. Well done, Jennie.
That’s so nice that you sent the post along to your son. Thank you! And as always, you have this nailed on outside resources. Often, all it takes is for a teacher to ask, and the people in the community are thrilled. Frankly, the best classroom contributor was you, the crossing guard – really!
A nice comment to read as I end my day. Thank you, Jennie.
You are welcome, Steve!
Wow! Looks like an incredible experience for your kids. I was always interested in robotics as a kid and I would have loved this so much! Such a great idea! The video of the robot spinning around on the carpet is so fun! I am a <a href=”https://www.garyschemdry.com/carpet-cleaning-tulsa/“>professional carpet cleaner</a> so seeing that make me smile. Those kids are lucky to have you!
Thank you.
I really love the idea with the robots. Look how creative children can be, also amongst modern technic. That’s the future! xx Michael
You are right, Michael. Robots show how creative children can be. They are the future.
What a lot of fun, Jennie. My Gregory always loved robots and he is still interested in them. Robotics is one of his side interests while studying mathematics.
This was so much fun, Robbie. I’m not surprised Gregory loves robots!
They are quite fascinating for most of us
Yes!
Snowman is awesome! Yes, kids love robots for sure. My sons loved any electronic device they could control.
Thanks, Stevie. She is definitely awesome, and kids absolutely love robots. 🙂 Our son was just like your boys!
It’s a boy thing, lol.
🙂