Global Connections - Digital Learning: MassCUE & M.A.S.S. Fall Conference 2016

Like many states, Massachusetts has adopted K-12 computer science standards. We must now focus on bringing this competency into the classroom. Many of the opportunities for learning to code are short, disconnected experiences offered by websites and apps. We believe robots offer an easier on-ramp for teachers and higher engagement for students.

Coding with robots is a dynamic experience: robots react to the environment, people react to the robots, and the interplay is orchestrated with code. Robots bring coding to life, giving a physical presence to both simple and complex problems.

This is why we created Root. Ready to go out of the box, Root allows teachers to instantly share coding lessons on the classroom whiteboard. In addition to driving on walls, Root draws, erases, plays music, and explores its world with over 50 sensors and actuators—making the same robot usable from K through 12.

Because the Root experience is fused with the interface for programming it, we created Square: an intuitive app that scales—from a blocks-based graphical environment designed for early elementary students, up to a text-based environment for older grades. Automatically translating programs from one level to another, Square enables Root to evolve with students as they grow.