Step Into My Sessions: RoboRails: Building Flexible Thinking One Track at a Time
Engineering play that supports language, collaboration, and flexible thinking.
I don’t know about you, but it seems lots of my students are getting spring fever! 🌸🐝 The clocks have just changed, and already, the air feels different. Students come in a bit “spicy!” And with that added zing, they are looking around my office for something NEW. How about a gyroscopic cutie-pie?
Ta da – I’ve discovered RoboRails!
I did have some hesitations about this toy, especially since the price seemed low for something so techy. Would it break easily? Sometimes my students are a bit impulsive and rough on delicate toys. 😬
The instructions looked complicated? Did I have builders in my caseload, or would I end up untangling robot pieces for hours? I did not want a building project for myself!
Would the robot even work? 🤖 I want students to have some uncomfortable feelings, but I want them ultimately to be successful.
I’m happy to report that my worries were unfounded.
Thames & Kosmos products are usually thoughtfully designed, and this one lived up to that reputation. I enlisted my engineer son-in-law to assemble the robot for me; he built it in about a nanosecond. Once it was built, the whole system felt surprisingly sturdy. It can absolutely handle enthusiastic hands and the occasional impulsive adjustment. Most importantly, the robot works and is adorable! 🤗
As it sashays 💃🏼 (wow – never used that word but it’s a perfect description) successfully along the track students have designed, it delivers exactly the kind of productive struggle I’m looking for—the kind that builds resilience, flexible thinking, and confidence. It’s not about avoiding frustration; it’s about supporting students through it so they experience the pride that comes with figuring something out.
I’ve been loving using RoboRails in sessions.
SocialScales fit naturally into the routine: some students are ready to jump in and build, while others are more uncertain and need time to observe or plan. Wherever they are, there’s a place for them.
The ever-changing tracks create authentic opportunities for collaborative language (“What if we try this piece here?” “Can you pass me the curve?”), negotiation, and flexibility when the design doesn’t work the first time. And when everything finally connects, and the robot runs smoothly? That shared burst of joy is real—problem solving, communication, regulation, and pride, all wrapped into one completed build. 😀🥳
Just watch:
