Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Woonhee Sung is a leading researcher at the intersection of computational thinking, embodied cognition, and K-12 STEM education. Her work centers on how physical, kinesthetic activities—what she terms "embodied approaches"—can make abstract concepts in robotics and programming more accessible to young learners. Her most influential paper, "Introducing Computational Thinking to Young Learners" (2017, 157 citations), established a foundational framework for using movement and gesture to teach computational perspectives in mathematics. Sung’s subsequent studies, including her 2022 quasi-experimental work on robot coding and debugging (16 citations), provide rare empirical evidence that embodied instruction significantly boosts problem-solving, debugging skills, and self-efficacy in ethnically diverse elementary classrooms. She has also pioneered "learning by design" strategies for training in-service teachers in educational robotics (2022, 17 citations). By demonstrating that physical engagement with robots can deepen computational reasoning, Sung has reshaped how educators integrate technology in early education. Her research offers practical, evidence-based pathways for closing equity gaps in STEM, making her a vital voice for inclusive, hands-on computational learning.