Cubetto
Our Cubetto box has everything you need to start coding adventures. The wooden robot helps teach students the basics of computer programming through adventure and hands-on play. Montessori approved, LOGO Turtle inspired.
Who could use this?
Cubetto contains equipment and resources that complement the Computing curriculum for children at Key Stage 1. Easy-to-use blocks (forward, left, right, backward, function, negation and random) are inserted into the control board, then a big friendly button sends the instructions. The Cubetto robot then faithfully trundles around a play mat. Typically, you set challenges like “Move from the castle to the tree, avoiding the lakes”.
Because there’s a visual representation of the program ‘code’, debugging mistakes is much more achievable than it is with the more common robots which have built-in buttons.
Curriculum links
Key Stage 1 Computing
- understand what algorithms are; how they are implemented as programs on digital
- devices; and that programs execute by following precise and unambiguous instructions
- create and debug simple programs
- use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs
What’s in the box?
We have several Cubetto sets – enough to support a whole class activity, if that’s how you wish to use them. Each set comes with a robot, control board, play mat, book of challenges, and a set of programming tiles.
Download the complete contents list here.
Careers links
The Primary Science Teaching Trust has some additional careers links you may like to look at. These are called “A scientist just like me” and introduce children to a diverse range of scientists.
The downloadable power points relevant to this box are:
Computer scientist Daniel Csimszi
Artificial intelligence researcher Krishna Moorogen
Machine learning scientist Kaushik Hatti
Software engineers Edward Thompson and Rebecca Harding:
SAMLabs
The SAM Labs Classroom Kit is the ultimate kit for your classroom, bursting with everything you need to teach a full class of 30 students. The STEAM Kit adds even more variety, enabling you to fully unleash your students’ creativity. Includes an abundance of lesson plans, a huge assortment of wireless electronic blocks and a visual, flow-based coding app for an amazing classroom experience.
Who could use this?
The SAM Labs system is designed to make it super-quick to lash together Lego or cardboard engineering contraptions which you can control and code using the incredibly slick programming system The programming system works on laptops and tablets, including iPads.
SAM Labs have a bank of lessons plans and teaching resources for Key Stage 2, covering both learning to code and STEAM-influenced design/technology learning. They also have an excellent overview of the system.
We have a classroom kit (pictured above), which has enough bits for around 10 groups of students to build and code buggies with light sensors and coloured LEDs. We also have a ‘STEAM kit’ which adds a bunch of sensors and extra motors which could be used for explorations by a STEM club.
Curriculum links
Key Stage 2 Computing
- design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems; solve problems by decomposing them into smaller parts
- use sequence, selection, and repetition in programs; work with variables and various forms of input and output
- use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work and to detect and correct errors in algorithms and programs
Key Stage 2 Design Technology
- Design: generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through discussion, annotated sketches, cross-sectional and exploded diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces and computer-aided design
- Technical knowledge: apply their understanding of computing to program, monitor and control their products
What’s in the box?
- 24 x DC motor
- 11 x Light sensor
- 12 x RGB Light
- 1 x Heat Sensor
- 1 x Servo Motor
- 1 x Pressure Sensor
- 24 x Wheel
- 12 x LEGO Gear Attachment
- 12 x Roller Ball
- 12 x SAM Car Chassis
- 12 x SAM Controller
- 30 x Small LEGO Holder
- 24 x Large LEGO Holder
- 12 x Multi Micro USB Charging Cable
Careers links
The Primary Science Teaching Trust has some additional careers links you may like to look at. These are called “A scientist just like me” and introduce children to a diverse range of scientists.
The downloadable power points relevant to this box are:
Computer scientist Daniel Csimszi
Artificial intelligence researcher Krishna Moorogen
Machine learning scientist Kaushik Hatti
Software engineers Edward Thompson and Rebecca Harding:
