Rev Up Robotics: Real-World Computational Thinking in the K–8 Classroom

Book Description Author Jorge Valenzuela lays out the foundational skills of computational thinking required for programming with robotics.

Unlike other robotics books and curriculum, Rev Up Robotics takes a cross-curricular approach, showing educators how to begin incorporating robotics into their content area lessons and in conjunction with other subjects.

You’ll get an overview of standards-based skills that can be covered in English language arts, math, science, social studies and robotics electives. Teachers also get tips for selecting the robot that works for them and for students, and details on the functions of gears, motors and sensors. Also included is a deep dive into more advanced topics like the intersections of computer science, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering with robotics. Finally, you’ll find advice for getting students involved with competitive robotics, and case studies that offer empirical evidence for using robotics successfully in instruction.

The book:

• Shows how to help students recognize and apply the four elements of computational thinking to familiar situations.
• Provides a pathway from working with visual blocks to programming in C++.
• Discusses building and programming robots, with tips for adding your own code and troubleshooting.
• Demonstrates how to manipulate basic movement to better understand the functions of gears, motors and sensors.

With activities and examples for grade levels K-8, teachers come away with easy-to-implement cross-curricular ideas to engage students in computer science and engineering activities. 

Content

PART 1 - Planning and Building Student Capacity for Robotics
1. Robotics: Introduction and Applications
2. Planning for Robotics: Set Yourself up for Success
3. Teaching Foundational Knowledge and Skills for Robotics
4. Robotics and Computational Thinking
5. Robotics and Programming Demystified

PART 2 - Robotics in the Content Areas
6. Evidence for Robotics in the Classroom
7. Robotics in ELA
8. Robotics in Mathematics
9. Science in Schools
10. Robotics in Social Studies

PART 3 - Strategies and Approaches for Teaching Robotics and Computational Thinking
11. Robotics, Constructivist Learning, and Infusing the Learning Sciences
12. Project Based Learning (PBL) and Robotics
13. Robotics Outside of School