Boosting the study of physics for high-school students through non-formal activities with small robotics devices

Abstract

In this paper we discuss how the use of new educational technologies into the learning process may act as a factor of inspiration and motivation for highschool students to pursue a career in science and engineering. Using materials easy to obtain the simplicity of the Arduino microcontroller and the open-source community, we have developed a series of tools that can be used in physics experiments with the aim to encourage the study of sciences. In addition, the corroboration between the principles of accessibility of knowledge and of combining theory with practice is the guarantee of effective learning.