The effect of robotics activities on students' learning and attitudes

Abstract

My research investigates students' learning of and attitudes toward STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) in general and Computer Science (CS) in particular during their participation in robotics activities. The research population consists of middle-school students who participated in robotics competitions. The methodology used is both qualitative and quantitative, using questionnaires, observations and interviews. A representational model is used to facilitate the interviews by externalizing the students' understanding of STEM concepts. The revised Bloom Taxonomy was used in the analysis. The research achieved preliminary results for CS and engineering which show that the students can achieve a satisfying level of learning CS and Engineering when they participate in the robotics activities.