By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–First-grade enrichment students in Mallory Powers’ class at Union City Elementary School have been introduced to the world of Ozobots.
The aftermath has been a cross between amazement and a thirst for more knowledge.
Powers’ class has enthusiastically learned about the miniature smart robots that are designed as an introduction to coding.
Ozobots can follow lines or roam freely. They also detect colors that allow movement from one location to another and can be programmed using visual codes. In addition to Powers teaching coding basics, students learn hands-on about robotics and math, as well as programming.
“The Ozobots teaches them in a unique way, so they learn while being engaged and playing,” Powers said. “The plan of having students work on group projects with Ozobot fosters their ability to analyze, reason, and also communicate ideas effectively as they pose, formulate, solve, and interpret solutions.
“Coding is fun, but I really love seeing how the students come together to help each other. They work together to solve problems, and they also challenge each other to create more difficult code.”