Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Natalie Freed is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of educational technology, human-robot interaction, and computational thinking for young learners. Her work centers on designing innovative learning environments that make programming and robotics accessible and engaging for children, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. Freed is perhaps best known for her development of Active Learning Environments with Robotic Tangibles (ALERT), a mixed-reality system that integrates physical robots, sensors, and video gaming to create immersive educational experiences. Her seminal 2017 paper on children's spatial programming experiences has garnered 66 citations, establishing her as a leading voice in tangible computing and early childhood education. This research demonstrates how combining physical and virtual environments can meaningfully develop computational thinking skills in young learners. Beyond robotics and programming, Freed has explored the social dimensions of human-robot interaction, including how preschoolers and families communicate with social robots during play — an area with significant implications for both language development and child-computer interaction design. Her thesis work at MIT's Media Arts and Sciences program reflects her commitment to understanding how children construct knowledge through hands-on engagement with technology, reinforcing her belief that active, embodied learning experiences are fundamental to effective education in the digital age.