Toying with Technology Application for Student Learning

Abstract

<p>The Toying with Technology Program on campus teaches non-STEM students how to build and then program NXT Mindstorms Rovers. These students then take this knowledge they learn in class to local schools and student groups through outreach events. However, the current documentation in place can be confusing at times, and still takes a lot of direction from student helpers, which is problematic when dealing with a large group of children. To solve this issue, this project aims to create better documentation and resources for the teachers and students. This project resulted in the production of step by step instructions using words as well as visuals to help students construct their robots. Additionally, instructions were produced on how to connect the robot to the computer, and then how to program it. These programming instructions teach the students how programming works, and how block programming and code programming relate to one another. With these instructions, students should gain a greater understanding for building and programming robotics, and hopefully gain more interest in the field of engineering.</p>