Fun Indoor STEM Activities as the Seasons Change
As the seasons change, the weather limits outside activities, forcing
kids indoors. This is the perfect opportunity to introduce science,
technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts in a fun and engaging
way. Here are a few ideas for your kids or students to have fun and
learn indoors while the weather gets colder.
Learn to Code
Technology is all around us, and computer literacy and the ability to code are becoming as important as reading, writing, and math. There are plenty of methods to teach your child programming languages, and lots of options for different ages ranges that vary the challenge.
Some are visual languages, with drag-and-drop blocks of code, while others require typing in the code manually. Your child’s age will likely play a factor in choosing which language they learn and how it is taught.
They could learn Blocky, for example, which allows dragging and dropping. Arduino, on the other hand, requires manual coding but is a real-world programming language used in devices. Once they know the basics, introducing them to Arduino could be the first step in a prosperous career path.
Learning to code can have a real-world impact, increasing engagement as kids discover how devices work, and more importantly, that they can use code to make things happen. It’s a fantastic transferable skill, learning how to code early can help them in college and in the job market.
Build a Robot
Using a robot kit, your future engineer can build their own robot. The best robot kits are modular, giving your child options or the ability to design their own robot. They can start by following the instructions, and then let their imaginations run wild once they’ve grasped the core concepts. It allows them to get creative while also learning engineering skills.
After using blueprints or their own creativity to build the robot, they can program it to do what they want. This could be simple mechanical motions or navigating an obstacle course. Multiple kits can be pit against each other in competitions.
Whether it’s a race through obstacles, sorting items, or pushing the opponent out of a sumo ring, there’s plenty of ways for your children to learn while building and coding a robot kit.
Fly a Drone with Code
Putting the previous two skills together for a more advanced option, your child can build and program a drone kit.
The drone kit combines creativity in programming with critical thinking. If the drone doesn’t fly as expected, they have to examine the code for potential errors, then tweak it to fix the error. This also teaches patience and persistence, as they may have to keep trying, over and over, slightly altering the code until the drone performs as expected.
Interacting with drones can also give them a better perception of our technology-driven world and how we interact with technology. They become active creators and participants, rather than passive consumers of technology. It will give your child an appreciation for the world around them, all while having fun flying a drone.
About Robolink
Robolink started encouraging students to engage with STEM in 2012 using fun, educational, and cute programmable robot kits packed with real tech. Passionate about robotics, engineering, and education, the Robolink team believes in nurturing future inventors and innovators. They operate two learning centers in San Diego, CA, and 15 after-school programs in elementary and middle schools throughout San Diego County. Their goal is to make STEM education accessible, engaging, and fun for both students and hobbyists.
Get your own robot and drone kits at Robolink.com
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| Robot Kit |
Learn to Code
Technology is all around us, and computer literacy and the ability to code are becoming as important as reading, writing, and math. There are plenty of methods to teach your child programming languages, and lots of options for different ages ranges that vary the challenge.
Some are visual languages, with drag-and-drop blocks of code, while others require typing in the code manually. Your child’s age will likely play a factor in choosing which language they learn and how it is taught.
They could learn Blocky, for example, which allows dragging and dropping. Arduino, on the other hand, requires manual coding but is a real-world programming language used in devices. Once they know the basics, introducing them to Arduino could be the first step in a prosperous career path.
Learning to code can have a real-world impact, increasing engagement as kids discover how devices work, and more importantly, that they can use code to make things happen. It’s a fantastic transferable skill, learning how to code early can help them in college and in the job market.
Build a Robot
Using a robot kit, your future engineer can build their own robot. The best robot kits are modular, giving your child options or the ability to design their own robot. They can start by following the instructions, and then let their imaginations run wild once they’ve grasped the core concepts. It allows them to get creative while also learning engineering skills.
After using blueprints or their own creativity to build the robot, they can program it to do what they want. This could be simple mechanical motions or navigating an obstacle course. Multiple kits can be pit against each other in competitions.
Whether it’s a race through obstacles, sorting items, or pushing the opponent out of a sumo ring, there’s plenty of ways for your children to learn while building and coding a robot kit.
Fly a Drone with Code
Putting the previous two skills together for a more advanced option, your child can build and program a drone kit.
The drone kit combines creativity in programming with critical thinking. If the drone doesn’t fly as expected, they have to examine the code for potential errors, then tweak it to fix the error. This also teaches patience and persistence, as they may have to keep trying, over and over, slightly altering the code until the drone performs as expected.
Interacting with drones can also give them a better perception of our technology-driven world and how we interact with technology. They become active creators and participants, rather than passive consumers of technology. It will give your child an appreciation for the world around them, all while having fun flying a drone.
About Robolink
Robolink started encouraging students to engage with STEM in 2012 using fun, educational, and cute programmable robot kits packed with real tech. Passionate about robotics, engineering, and education, the Robolink team believes in nurturing future inventors and innovators. They operate two learning centers in San Diego, CA, and 15 after-school programs in elementary and middle schools throughout San Diego County. Their goal is to make STEM education accessible, engaging, and fun for both students and hobbyists.
Get your own robot and drone kits at Robolink.com
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