Implementation of a modular robotic construction kit that fully supports science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics education

Abstract

In recent years, STEAM has become an important movement in the educational field. Modular robotic construction kits has emerged with the advancement of ICT; however, the existing robotic construction kits seem to be more suitable for STEM education, which helps users explore and understand robotics through easy and quick implementation and motion control. As such, a new modular robotic construction kit that fully supports STEAM education is required. The objective of this research is to develop and implement a new modular robotic construction kit that enable users to create diverse free-forms and motions. For this, we developed several technologies, such as motion-making and bi-directional communication using an I2C bus interface. Based on this, we further developed and implemented a new modular robotic construction kit. This modular robotic construction kit provides naturally repeated processes of form-making and motion-making to users. This research contributes to the development of a pedagogical tool for STEAM education by allowing users, with our modular robotic construction kit, to fully explore and better understand art, science, design, technology, and even engineering and mathematics. © 2016 American Scientific Publishers. All rights reserved.