What is the difference between AR and VR?

Augmented reality and virtual reality are two ways of changing the way we view the world through the use of technology. Sometimes people think that AR and VR are the same. In this article, we will explain the difference between the two technologies due to the increased use of them. 

10 Mistakes To Avoid In Your STEM Classroom

There is more than one way to design a STEM classroom. From storage to seating, every stem classroom is different. With that said, there are several mistakes an educator can make when managing their STEM classroom that can make STEM activities less effective and fun. To create an engaging and positive collaboration environment, here are 10 mistakes to avoid in your STEM classroom.

By Sonja Jacobson

What makes a Good STEM/STEAM Toy?

Having probed parents for their feelings on STEM/STEAM, we now turn to toy experts for their perspectives on what makes a good STEM/STEAM toy.

This section consists of input from a survey in which 67 Toy Association members and toy experts participated. This was followed with 26 in-depth phone interviews along with insights gathered from two expert panels hosted at both the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and at the 116th annual North American International Toy Fair.

Based on the above input, the Toy Association identified 14 unifying characteristics of STEM/STEAM toys, including 2 mandatory and 12 strengthening, all of which are detailed below.

Engage! K12 is the only learning platform that supports the new robot from SoftBank Robotics

SoftBank Robotics is launching NAO V6, and RobotLAB’s online learning platform can be used with it in the classroom.

RobotLAB Inc., the award winning Educational Robotics company, announces today that Engage!K12, its leading online learning platform for STEM and robotics, is now supporting the 6^th version of the popular NAO Robot by SoftBank Robotics. This platform brings hundreds of lesson plans, activities, apps, and simulation tools to teach Coding, Programming, Math, ELA and STEM for grades K-12.

Feature a Teacher: NAO as a dancing tool to understand human-robot interaction. 

Amy LaViers is an Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, and director of the RAD Lab a website of Robotics Automation and Dance (RAD). During her PhD Thesis she realized that Nao robot is the tool for her engaging for the public and researches alike.  

Feature a Teacher: NAO Assisting Students Across a Broad Spectrum

Benjamin Durham is a science teacher at Lane Technical High School in Chicago who has been using NAO in Robotics 2 and Adaptive Robotics. In Robotics 2, an intermediate-level robotics class, students use both Choregraphe and Python to program NAO. Many of these students have aspirations of going into medical or social work, and wanted hands-on experience of what robots might be able to do in these fields.

Robotic Arm TEKS Education Standards 2017-2018 

For the first time, TEKS include product specific standards for robotics arm, highlighting the importance for the students to take part in and understand Industry 4.0 is the current trend of automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies that will shape their future. It  provide hands-on Computer Science for students and brings coding to life. 

Dobot Magician integrates programming, mechanics, electronics, and automation. It’s a great STEAM teaching device that strengthens knowledge across multiple subjects, through a high precision and user-friendly UI. It also provides, enjoyable functions, and unlimited developing possibilities. Dobot Magician’s captivating and exploratory experience increases interest in science and technology.

Who needs robots in the classroom?

Programming and robotics seem to be the new, hip thing in today’s classroom. STEM concepts are being taught from elementary school, sometimes alongside core topics like English and Math. But why is teaching STEM topics to young kids so popular? How useful could it possibly be? (It’s not like the average person interacts with robots all day) 

I’ll take you through my morning just to show you how silly this fad is!

7am

First things first, I got up and brushed my teeth. My toothpaste tube was nearly empty, so I pulled out my phone and ordered a new one on Amazon with one click.

Breaking the habit of too much screen in school by using physical devices

There is no shortage of articles and think-pieces on the evils of “screen-time”.Everyone from the National Public Radio to Psychology Today are bemoaning the negative impact of our dependence on screen-based entertainment and utilities. Here at RobotLAB, we don’t dispute the research.  

 A successful Case Study at Albany High School 

At RobotLAB, we are always working hard to bring unique experiences to classrooms. Developing NAO has allowed us to do this- revitalizing the way STEM is being taught all the way down to the very first educational stages. 

Recently, we carried out a Demo Lesson partnering with Albany High School. On this occasion, we used NAO robot to work with students on English subjects - an experience that gave us great insights into how robotics can influence learning in multiple ways. 

So, what kind of impression did NAO make on students? What do they think now about engineering and overall learning? Let's find out!