Why Our Jewish Schools Teach Robotics
Posted on 10/22/2021 @ 08:00 AM
After having to halt its programming due to COVID, CAJE’s Miami Jewish Day School Robotics Program is back. We received an overwhelming amount of emails and phone calls from various schools in Miami-Dade and Broward counties asking us to try to restart it this year.
Audrey Maman, Associate Director for School Markets at CAJE and Ilana Traub, the local Robotics Coach and Media Specialist at Lehrman Community Day School, worked together to ensure that we could bring the program back to our schools in a safe and fun way.
The benefits of Robotics are numerous: In the medical field, it simplifies complicated medical procedures; in the construction field, it makes dangerous construction projects safer, and in aeronautics, it enables us to send robots to space.
Robotics, when applied to education, also has its benefits and helps to create a more well-adjusted student.
Here are 8 reasons why every school should be teaching Robotics if they aren’t already:
1. Robotics facilitates the learning of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)
When engaging in robotics and coding, children learn complex science and math concepts in a fun and dynamic way.
2. Robotics teaches problem-solving skills and enhances creativity
Learning robotics requires patience. Programming a robot to perform a certain action involves working through mistakes, brainstorming, and problem-solving. Getting the robot to perform tasks that are not part of the mission requires creativity and innovation on the part of the student.
3. Robotics promotes teamwork and collaboration
In robotics, the input of every child is important. It takes a team of students to achieve the goal of putting together a robot and getting it to perform its “mission.” To be successful, they need to listen and respect each other’s contributions.
4. Robotics prepares students for potential future careers
Introducing a student to programming and coding through robotics gives them the chance to explore a skill that could eventually turn into a very lucrative career. Even if programming or coding is not their forte, robotics teaches them principles that can be found in many STEM-related fields.
5. Robotics improves self-confidence
Being able to assemble a robot is a great way to boost self-confidence and self-esteem. Learning how to create and program robots that respond to your commands and instructions leads to more satisfied and motivated students.
6. Robotics increases participation and engagement
It’s cool to do robotics! Student relish the challenge of being able to complete a robotics activity and move on to a more complex one. Because robotics is a “hands-on” activity, teachers have noticed a visible change in participation and engagement among their students.
7. Robotics contributes to the mastery of fine motor skills
In younger children, robotics helps to develop the ability to focus on a particular task and manipulate the Legos to create a robot. Highly coordinated hand and finger movements lead to improved fine motor skills in students.
8. Robotics is FUN!
Robotics is the perfect example of an educational activity where fun and learning intertwine.
If you think the students are the only ones benefitting from learning robotics, think again!
Teachers for the 2021-2022 Miami Jewish Day School Robotics Program learned so much being part of a 4-day training the second week of October and the feedback was amazing. They can’t wait to bring Robotics back to their respective schools and kick off the program.
Covid-19 permitting, CAJE is working on a plan for a festival in the spring where participating schools will be able to showcase what they’ve learned throughout the year.
If you would like more information on the Miami Jewish Day School Robotics Program, please contact Audrey Maman at audreymaman@caje-miami.org and visit Jewish Day Schools (caje-miami.org).
