Robotics is technical creativity, the first step towards creative, design, and rationalization activities of children. It is a mastery of the beginnings of mechanics, circuitry, electronics, as well as programming. It is not just a hobby group – it is a whole movement that gathers like-minded people around itself, helps to share experiences, and finds new friends who are passionate about the same thing as you.
What robotics develops in children
By constructing robots, a child develops responsibility, discipline, teamwork, imagination, and attentiveness. Step-by-step work from simple to complex teaches patience and dedication. The constructor also contributes to the development of: ● creative thinking; ● orientation in space; ● fine motor skills of the hands; ● speech and mental abilities; ● memory; ● ideas about the world around; ● respect for someone else’s work; ● communication skills; ● independence.
Modern education and robots
Modern children learn quickly and with passion. They love interactivity and are keenly interested in science. Robotics can be safely designated as engineering for children. This is the first step towards disciplines such as programming, mathematics, physics, and algorithms. Many schoolchildren from 7 to 18 years old annually participate in the World Robotics Olympiad WRO. In this massive competition, in which children from 50 countries who are keen on robots take part, children exchange experiences, learn something new and, of course, compete with others. At the same time, the main goal of the World Robotics Olympiad is to popularize and develop scientific and technical creativity among young people and middle and junior schoolchildren. Such Olympiads can be safely attributed to the modern educational element of the XXI century.
Literary and scientific background
The name robotics is called applied science, which develops technical automated systems. In terms of production, robotics was one of the fundamental technical structures of intensification. All the laws of this science are very closely related to such related areas as electronics, mechanics, mechatronics, computer science, radio engineering, electrical engineering. Robotics is also divided into industrial, construction, medical, space, military, underwater, aviation, and domestic. In literature, the concept of “robotics” first appeared in 1941 in the story “Liar!” By science fiction writer Isaac Asimov, and before him, the word “robot” was coined by Czech writers, brothers Karel Čapek and Josef Čapek. It arose as the title of a scientific and practical play, “Rossum’s Universal Robots,” staged a year later in 1921 and had a huge audience interest. The theme of the play is relevant almost a century later. According to the plot, the plant owner suffers from indefatigable robots. They subsequently rebel against the creators and all of humanity. It is very curious to know that the rudiments of robotics can be observed since ancient times – the 1st century BC. It was then that there were moving statues, and the excellent Homer described in his “The Iliad” maids, creations from gold, who are able not only to speak but also to think. Today, such a phenomenon as the intelligence of robots is called artificial intelligence. Also, the ancient Greek mechanical engineer Archytas developed a thing unique for his century – a mechanical pigeon. The creation of this miraculous mechanism dates back to ~ 400 BC.
At what age to start learning robotics
They begin to study in robotics circles from childhood. A suitable age is four years when the child understands abstraction, can compose algorithms and design circuits. At the same time, it can be developed at home by buying a construction set with mechanical parts. The child must be motivated in every possible way to study mathematics so that learning in the circle is easy and exciting. From the age of 10, children, in addition to robotics, begin to deeply learn to program: to understand data storage structures and complex algorithms. From this moment on, the theory of machines and mechanisms, the design of robotic devices are taught in the circles. Each age group has its program, taking into account the peculiarities of the development of students. Fortunately, in today’s digital age, there are numerous coding resources for kids that you can find online and get informed about all you need to know.
What constructors to choose for practicing robotics
If you decide to choose online lessons on robotics, use Residential Proxies’ opportunity to access the games. It will change or alternate your proxy for every request you make. It gives you additional protection against being blocked by websites while learning robotics. Depending on the educational program and age group of children, a constructor of different levels of complexity is selected. Any foreign models will do. For the first lessons in a circle from 6 years old, Lego is recommended, which is easy to assemble, according to the specified instructions. It has a lot of bright details. Or Fischertechnik, which includes actual wires and connectors, which creates a visual programming environment. From the age of 14, they learn more complex constructors that require basic programming skills.
Professions related to robotics
Classes in robotics circles can be an excellent basis for a child’s future profession. Keep in mind some interesting personal finance statistics to know where to focus for their future professions. Today in universities and colleges, some specialties are associated with the design of robots: ● Roboticist. Engaged in the creation of technical systems and robots. A specialist can work in any company, institution where his design skills are required. The profession is in demand in the space industry, medicine, industry, and military affairs. ● Children’s equipment designer. Develops toys for children, any games and devices that are based on programmable robots, such as Raspberry Pi 4. ● Home robot designer. The specialist is engaged in the creation of robots for houses and apartments. They perform all sorts of functions: a nurse, a vacuum cleaner, a gardener, a cleaner. Machines replace all the servants and do many chores around the house. ● Neural interface designer. Develops a system that allows the operator to control and monitor the actions of the robot. The specialist is responsible for the artificial intelligence of the machine. Final word Today we cannot imagine life without robots. They are everywhere: electric cars drive on the roads, and robotic vacuum cleaners clean houses. The school curriculum is no longer enough to become successful; you need to understand IT and develop soft skills – work in a team, think creatively, make decisions on their own, etc. It is this knowledge and skills that children acquire by studying robotics.
This article is written by William Clarke, a guest writer at Makeblock. Makeblock owns the full publication right.
