This post is sponsored by Wonder Workshop
In the past few years we’ve seen growing emphasis on STEM education and rightfully so. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “over 800,000 new STEM jobs were added to the U.S. economy” between May 2009 and May 2015.”
“Computer occupations made up nearly 45 percent of STEM employment, and engineers made up an additional 19 percent. Mathematical science occupations and architects, surveyors, and cartographers combined made up less than 4 percent of STEM employment.”
—U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
As parents, we know STEM jobs represent a growing field of employment. We recognize the abundant opportunities for students who pursue STEM fields. The challenge is in creating opportunities, developing and maintaining interests in middle schoolers whose interest in STEM subjects wanes as they get older, and providing proper support to those most interested in STEM.
As a former elementary school technology magnet coordinator and parent who advocates STEM education, I also understand the challenge that our schools face in introducing, engaging, and involving today’s students in meaningful STEM learning. It’s important to provide hands-on learning to foster computer literacy skills but shrinking school budgets, lack of teacher professional development, and time during the school day can prevent educators from preparing our kids for the jobs of tomorrow.
There’s no shortage of STEM products that aim to teach kids computer literacy skills but I’ve always been impressed with Wonder Workshop’s Dash & Dot and Cue robots that teach coding through robotics. I was introduced to this trio years ago but have always appreciated how the company has made age-appropriate learning a priority through products that provide engaging hands-on learning. Now through Wonder Workshop Classroom, the company has created everything teachers need to teach coding and robotics in their classrooms.
About Wonder Workshop Cue
Designed for ages 11+, Cue is perfect for middle school students with an interest in coding. This darling robot features motors and sensors that can be programmed to react in real time. It helps older kids go beyond the block-based drag and drop coding to more machine and text-based programming, a key skill in the STEM workforce. Cue also lets tweens and teens work independently thanks to in-app demos, tutorials, and challenges. It supports self-guided exploration of programming languages, robotic capabilities, and meaningful projects.
If you’re a parent interested in bringing hands-on coding through robotics to your middle school this year or a teacher who is looking for a more meaningful way to teach coding, here are 4 reasons to use Wonder Workshop Cue to teach coding and robotics in a classroom this year.
Using Wonder Workshop Cue to Teach Coding and Robotics to Middle Schoolers
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