Using robotics for STEM education in primary/elementary schools: Teachers' perceptions

Abstract

Robotics, with its multidisciplinary nature, integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines and is considered a gateway to STEM education. This study aims to understand whether primary/elementary teachers perceive robotics as a useful tool for STEM education or not. If yes, in what capacity do they think robotics might be useful? A sample of 11 primary/elementary teachers participated in this study. The results of this study revealed that the participants perceive robotics to have the potential to facilitate learning of primary/elementary science and technology-related topics, while they do not perceive robotics to be a useful tool for teaching and learning mathematics.