With each passing year, new tremendous advancements are being made in technology. We’re on the brink of or breaking new barriers in multiple technologies that will become mainstream in the near future. Think smart glasses (Google’s already working on it and even released a beta test unit - Google Glass), smart houses, or virtual reality gaming. These are exciting times ahead for sure!

Schools are taking strides to assimilate edutech robotics within their ecosystem. Robotics classes are being held regularly and have been assimilated as an intrinsic part of school curriculum. As a matter of fact, Avishkaar, an ed tech startup, conducts robotics sessions (through its network of trainers) across 700+ schools in India.

Before we move further, let’s get this out of the way, shall we….

How far has the evolution of robotics come? 

Robotics dates as far back as 1500 B.C. when the Egyptians invented a water clock. Over the millennia, various iterations of robots came into being. From Da Vinci’s mechanical knight in armour (built in 1495) to Lilliput, the first robotics toy to Sophia, a humanoid robot which became the first robot to receive a country’s citizenship (Saudi Arabia); robotics has evolved by leaps and bounds. 

Why Schools Should Turn to Robotics?

Robotics opens up a whole different set of avenues for children. From basic mechanics and construction to advanced programming and circuit designing, kids will derive benefits in the present as well as the foreseeable future (due to an increased emphasis on AI). 

Let’s go over the different ways where learning about robotics in schools can prove to be advantageous for students: 

• Creative Thinking: Robotics combines both creativity and critical thinking where you can give shape to their ideas in the form of a robotic construct and test out their theory through practical application.
• Engagement: You get introduced to hands-on learning helping you become acquainted with the twin benefits of enhanced concentration and increased focus on learning. 
• Learning Programming Skills: You’ll get an opportunity to become familiar with programming languages enabling you to become better prepared for a future that is geared towards AI and robotics. 
• Teamwork: Working with robotics augments collaborative and teamwork skills. As you learn to work together as a part of a group, you’ll be able to solve challenges which may crop up while making/programming a robot. 
• Fun: With all that has been said till now, you cannot deny that at the heart of it, robotics is fun. You will get an opportunity to experience a whole new world where they become makers and open up a Pandora’s box of possibilities!

No matter which way you look at it, edutech robotics is here to stay and will play a vital role in equipping the next generation i.e. you with skills necessary to survive in the future. And with the increasing level of automation and focus on AI and robotics, this industry holds a lot of promise for future endeavours. Till then, ahoy!