Autonomous Robotics Math Curriculum Development Using C Coding Language to Increase Student Attitudes and Learner Outcomes

Abstract

Abstract: Educational robotics is increasingly becoming incorporated into K12 instructional curriculum. The addition of autonomous robotics into mathematics lessons increases student engagement and attitudes towards robotics and STEM. This mixed methods study provides educators with an autonomous robotics curriculum, developed in C coding language, to increase learner attitude outcomes towards robotics and STEM. According to research from Vollstedt et al. (2007) as society progresses, students need to increase their knowledge of science, mathematics, engineering, and technology (STEM) to compete with the rest of the world and to efficiently utilize the new technologies that are introduced. This study was conducted at a STEM school in a small suburb of Boise, Idaho. Thirty-two fifth grade students participated in the study incorporating qualitative observations and quantitative surveys. The study concluded that coding using C coding language is one way of increasing attitudes towards robotics and STEM. Future curriculum development and research using autonomous robotics is needed to provide educators with tools to increase learner attitude outcomes towards robotics and STEM.