"BALANCE" ... IN PRESCHOOL: A PROPOSAL ON HOW TO TEACH NATURAL SCIENCES USING EDUCATIONAL ROBOTICS

Authors

  • Georgios Angelopoulos Teacher of Primary Education, Greece
  • Savvas Stamatopoulos Educator Secondary School, Mechanical Engineer, Consultant of Vocational Guidance, Greece

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v10i10.5021

Keywords:

natural sciences, educational robotics, computational thinking, balance

Abstract

This current study is a teaching proposal that approaches the concept of balance in an interdisciplinary way in kindergarten. Based on the Greek Kindergarten Curriculum, an educational intervention is proposed in the context of the thematic unit: "Child and Environment" and falls under the second axis: "Natural Environment and Interaction". When the infants build a simple seesaw machine ("robotic" seesaw) using the LEGO® Education Early Simple Machines Set, they start wondering about how it works. Acting collaboratively, the infants’ experiment with simple machines and make assumptions, each time experimenting according to the given instructions. Throughout the learning process, the teacher provides clear instructions and completes the findings of the infants, in order to draw the final conclusions that will lead to the solution of the problem. In this way, the infants are given the opportunity to develop computational thinking skills that can potentially open up new professional horizons in the future.

 

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Author Biographies

  • Georgios Angelopoulos, Teacher of Primary Education, Greece

    Georgios Angelopoulos graduated from the Pedagogical Department of Primary Education of the University of Patras and works as a teacher in Primary Education. He successfully completed his studies in the Master's Program in Education at the Hellenic Open University. He holds a certificate of specialized training in STEM from K.E.DI.VI.M. of the University of Thessaly and in Special Education from K.E.DI.VI.M. of the University of Patras. He has published scientific articles in reputable Greek and international journals and conference proceedings. His research interests focus on issues of teaching methods, educational robotics, and school administration.

  • Savvas Stamatopoulos, Educator Secondary School, Mechanical Engineer, Consultant of Vocational Guidance, Greece

    Savvas Stamatopoulos graduated from the School of Pedagogical and Technological Education of the University of Aspete and works as a teacher in Secondary Education. He successfully completed his studies for the Master's of Science in Advanced Information Systems at the Harokopio University of Athens. He is a passionate teacher who contributes to team success through hard work, attention to detail, and excellent organizational skills. A clear understanding of curriculum development, technology, computer science and consulting. Implementation, development, and design of robotics activities in special education.

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Published

2023-09-08

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 10 (2023)

Section

Articles

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