Workshop / Public Talk / Discussion
The EDUROBOTICS 2016 International conference builds on the pedagogical theories of constructivism and constructionism (Piaget, Papert) and this year focuses on “Educational Robotics in the Makers Era”. With this as a central theme, the conference aims at positioning educational robotics in the Makers Era, identifying connections with digital fabrication and exploring how educational robotics can support skill-building in the area of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths (STEAM) and the development of creative thinking, collaborative, and problem solving skills – skills that are essential in the workplace of the 21st century. The conference is organised in the framework of the European Robotics Week.
 

Target audience
Academics, researchers and educators active in the field of educational robotics at all levels of education (primary, secondary and tertiary), including young researchers, PhD and post-graduate students.More information: https://eu-robotics.net/robotics_week/events/edurobotics-2016-conference.html

Mindstorms revisited: making new construals of Seymour Papert’s legacy

Meurig Beynon, Computer Science, University of Warwick, UK

Abstract: Seymour Papert’s Mindstorms is a seminal text in educational technology. Its subtitle:

Children, Computers and Powerful Ideas reflects Papert’s broad visionary ambition, yet the the

cover of its second edition is headlined thus: ALL ABOUT LOGO – HOW IT WAS INVENTED

AND HOW IT WORKS. Notwithstanding the enormous practical impact of LOGO on educational

applications of computers, we should not forget Papert’s declaration regarding the computer-inspired

revolution in learning he envisioned: “I do not present LOGO environments as

my proposal for this … [they are] too primitive … too limited by the technology of the 1970s …”.

This paper revisits the challenge implicit in this declaration, appraising the extent to which today’s

technological advances can realise Papert’s vision, and proposing an alternative model for

his central conception of “an object-to-think-with, that will contribute to the essentially social

process of constructing the education of the future”.

Arts Meet Robot – Toward Inclusive STEAM Education

Ilkka Jormanainen, School of Computing, University of Eastern Finland, Finland

Abstract: Science, technology, engineering and math education has also been expanded by the
inclusion of the arts as an integral area. STEAM education is posed to be gender inclusive and
accessible for all levels of technical abilities. In this paper we present first our work on the inclusion
of the arts into robotics education through the theatre robotics concept. A description of
the processes involved to develop a multidisciplinary theatre robotics project are presented
alongside highlighted benefits that can be expected in terms of fostering the students’ 21st century
skills. We have leveraged the core lessons learnt from conceptualizing theatre robotics
concept in the forthcoming eCraft2Learn project funded from EU Horizon 2020 research and
innovation framework. Through the deployment of eCraft2Learn framework, we expect to
achieve a smooth integration of technical and humanities subjects and skills paving the way towards
a motivating and inclusive STEAM education for all students

Primary level Young Makers programming & making electronics with Snap4Arduino

Alfredo Pina, Public University of Navarra, Spain

Abstract: The main goal of this study is to show that young makers (8-12 years old) are able to
start programming & making electronics with Snap4Arduino, and that this is a way to have
(already trained) Makers for secondary level education.