Best of STEM 2023 Winner: Computer Science for Grades 6-12!
With LUMA, every day is a good day to code! LUMA is a friendly, programmable robot that makes coding approachable and fun for all students, no matter their background or interests. With a hands-on robot, engaging content, and entertaining storyline, it’s easy for educators to light up students’ enthusiasm for learning. Not only do students learn how to code, but they also learn about careers and the real-world relevance of robots and computer science skills.
This turnkey solution includes everything educators need to get their students started with block-based coding. LUMA is ready to program right out of the box with no prior experience needed for the teacher or student. The web-based, interactive app enables learners to follow along with instructional videos as they code their bot.
With connections to English, math, science, and music, LUMA is a great fit for educators who want to incorporate coding into core subjects. The standards-aligned curriculum includes up to 40 hours of student-driven content presented through vibrantly animated videos. The activities cover a variety of computer science and technology topics from coding terminology and usage to programming structure, planning, development, and testing to the impacts of computing and technology. Because students are encouraged to work with partners, they’ll practice and hone 21st-century skills such as teamwork, cooperation, communication, and problem-solving.
As students work through the content, they’ll learn how companies can use robots to be more effective and efficient. Students explore 11 different careers not typically associated with computer science including an inventor, game designer, restaurant owner/chef, event specialist, architect, sound engineer, user interface designer, head of security, DJ, automotive designer, and emergency responder.
While LUMA includes step-by-step instructions, students are also encouraged to flex their creative muscles in a variety of ways. Students can program LUMA to draw lines and shapes, drive in patterns, follow a line, detect obstacles, play sounds and music, and create light shows and animations. Plus, students can engineer attachments to the robot using LEGO® technic pegs and beams.
Robust educator support is provided, including:
- Teacher’s guide
- User guide
- Standards alignment
- Solution code
- PowerPoint lessons exploring coding and technology concepts
- Coding Journal files
LUMA’s Story
Students are invited to be active participants in LUMA’s story, keeping them engaged as they learn and build their skills. The story begins when the robot’s two inventors invite the students to embark on a journey to help them find an industry where the robot will be the most useful. Along the way, students meet a variety of professionals who want to utilize LUMA at their businesses. Students learn how to code LUMA to help with a variety of tasks as well as write and test their own programs.
Throughout the activities, students take notes in their Coding Journal and reflect on what they’ve learned. Students test their knowledge through quizzes, checkpoints, exploration activities, and challenges. In the culminating activity, students determine which company LUMA fits best and persuade the inventors to place the robot with that industry.
LUMA App
The LUMA App is 100% web-based and requires no downloads or software installation. No account creation is needed, and no student data is collected. The app automatically saves students’ progress, and, through a unique code system, students can easily pick up where they left off.