Robotics, technology, and social emotional learning are all over the news recently, and it’s for good reason… because the combination really works! Combining social emotional learning with technology and robotics is an incredible combination for student engagement, academic achievement, and enhanced community and sense of belonging in the classroom.
“STEM skills aren’t the only lessons students learn from robotics. Each time students set out on a robotics challenge, they are also building critical SEL skills like persistence, collaboration, critical thinking, creative innovation, and teamwork. The list goes on.
As teachers, we’re tasked with molding the next generation of leaders, engineers, doctors, and scientists. And yeah, that’s an important job. But you know what’s also important? Teaching kids how to be good collaborators, thinkers, problem-solvers, and citizens.” (Gilman, Abigail. “It Turns out Learning Robotics Teaches Valuable Social Skills.” We Are Teachers, 24 Oct. 2019, www.weareteachers.com/robotics-sel-skills/)
You might be wondering: How can teaching soft, interpersonal skills connect with programming and robotics? Great question! We dove into that exact subject with our friends at Eduporium in a recent webinar. Sarah, BirdBrain’s Learning and Community Manager and a proud former teacher, joined forces with Jenna, BirdBrain’s Business Manager, to discuss the incredible power of creative robotics and making in social emotional learning. They also covered practical ways to work with administration to make building a robotics program at your school financially feasible. Learn all that and more in the webinar below – and don’t forget to take notes! You’re not going to want to miss a thing. Enjoy!