Development of a low-cost robotic platform based on the exploitation of action research findings for STEM education and educational robotics

Abstract

STEM-based education faces several challenges when implementing it in practice since it requires the existence of an organized environment, the necessary logistical infrastructure (robotics - STEM educational platforms, specialized software, properly designed spaces, laboratories, etc.), and of course, the properly trained teachers who will be responsible for the coordination of the project; several publications have identified these. This study investigated whether action research can contribute to designing and developing an educational robotics platform for use in STEM education and Educational Robotics. For this reason, many surveys (Ν=14) were conducted to determine the robot's specifications and, evaluate the robot's construction and programming. Based on the research’s findings, the proposed robotic platform was effectively designed through action research, and the educational community contributed to its development. This assertion was supported by data collected in-person and online, questionnaires, interviews, observations, surveys, program analysis, and focus groups. During the design phase of the robotic platform, several ideas were formulated, and several prototypes were designed since the feedback from the educational community was rich and substantial. The researcher hopes this research will continue to produce something valuable and usable for the educational community with the ultimate goal of implementing it in STEM education and Educational Robotics. After all, action research -on which this research is based- has been characterized as research to solve practical problems and improve them.