ROBÔ-TI: Educational Robotics and Project-Based Learning Stimulating High School Students in the Information Technology Area

Abstract

This Research to Practice Full Paper presents a Brazilian Project called ROBÔ-TI promoted by Federal Institute of Amazonas (IFAM). Brazil has a huge shortage of qualified professionals in the area of Information Technology (IT). This is further aggravated in the state of Amazonas, located in a forest region. So, ROBÔ-TI proposes reducing the deficit of professionals in these areas in future, developed with the objective of encouraging High School students from the public schools of the State of Amazonas to careers in IT area. The project was directed to promote in High School students a greater interest in careers in this area, in order to meet the needs of the job market. The use of Educational Robotics (ER) within the context of Project-Based Learning (PBL) was the strategy used in order to motivate students to continue their studies in IT career. In total there were 7 cities besides the state capital (Manaus), a total of 170 students and 8 teachers involved in the project. The PBL was used in a context of team formation for a playful competition at the end of the project, with Scratch programming language and LEGO® Mindstorms® EV3 Kit. The results obtained demonstrate the positive contribution of this project for the professional and technological training of students and teachers.