Discussing about IBSE, Constructivism and Robotics in (and out of the) Schools

Abstract

When we look for “Inquiry Based Science Education ” (IBSE) in a search engine we find more than 2.000.000 items. The IBSE we refer to is, at the same time, a Problem Based Learning (PBL) approach enriched with experimental activities (using technological tools) and a constructivist learning method. It is consistent with our overall conception of the science and technology school activity, an activity of problem solving by building and using models through hands-on-experiences that introduce and motivate concepts present in school curricula and that are performed by pupils using technology. Here we concentrate on programmable mini robot and describe activities for a constructivist IBSE introduction to concepts from standard school curricula by programming mini robots. We propose in this paper an innovative vision to use IBSE, PBL, and constructivist strategies to design up-to-date and effective (regular) educational paths involving technological artifacts (like mini-robots) and linking the schools with cultural and scientific institutions (out of the schools) to promote the establishing and the application of new knowledge.