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TOP PICKS | 18 TOOLS
Best Robotics Apps and Websites for STEM Classrooms
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Blue-Bot
Simple robot ideal for introducing programming to young learners
Bottom line: Students will develop logical and sequential thinking with Blue-Bot, creating a foundation for future coding activities.
Grades: Pre-K–2
Price: Free, Paid The app is free; the physical Blue-Bot programmable robot costs $119.95.
Root Coding
First-rate versatile robot for all ages
Bottom line: By encouraging artistic design and creative problem-solving, Root Coding fits right into your STEAM curriculum.
Grades: Pre-K–12
Price: Free, Paid The app is free; requires iRobot Root kit starting at $199. An optional Root Academy subscription is available starting at $60 for six devices. Root Education kits include Root Academy licenses.
Blockly for Dash & Dot Robots
Adorable robots teach hands-on coding skills
Bottom line: You can program robots with code blocks, with plenty of creative options and lots of fun.
Grades: K–5
Price: Free, Paid The app is free but requires $149.99 Dash or $49.99 Dot robot from Wonder Workshop.
Robo Code
Modular robot encourages creativity with endless possibilities
Bottom line: Robo Code is an interactive, playful way to teach coding and build problem-solving skills in young learners.
Grades: K–8
Price: Free, Paid The app is free; requires Robo Wunderkind robot kit starting at $179. An education kit costs $249 and includes one robot.
The Robot Factory by Tinybop
Improve designs, collect favorites in robot creation sandbox
Bottom line: A well-made and enjoyable STEM app that leverages what's great about play -- experimentation -- to spark engineering interest.
Grades: K–8
Price: $2.99
Evo by Ozobot
Versatile mini robot tailor-made for teaching coding
Bottom line: Evo encourages students to be creative, emphasizing that coding is a tool in your pocket, not the end game.
Grades: 2–8
Price: Free, Paid The app is free; requires Evo robot. Available individually for $89 or as classroom kit.
Gizmos & Gadgets
Top-notch tool empowers kids to invent, build, and control wirelessly
Bottom line: Easy-to-use, versatile electronic invention set that works wirelessly with your hand-held device.
Grades: 2–8
Price: Free, Paid The app is free; the standard Gizmos & Gadgets Kit costs $199.95. Various other classroom kits are available.
Cozmo
A little robot with big personality brings code to life
Bottom line: From Cozmo's engaging personality to endless programming possibilities, this little robot will capture your heart and spark imagination.
Grades: 2–12
Price: Free, Paid Requires Cozmo robot, sold separately for $179.99.
SAM Labs
Kids use block code and wireless blocks to program, design, and create
Bottom line: With some perseverance, it's a great fit for PBL and STEAM, helping students learn programming skills and engineering concepts through invention.
Grades: 2–8
Price: Free, Paid The site, including user-submitted lesson plans, activities, and a gallery, is free. SAM Labs accessories and kits, which range in price from $33 for accessories to $1,999 for deluxe classroom kits, include access to a small library of lesson plans and accompanying resources.
Tickle
Robots, Arduinos, and drones -- the block coding app to rule them all
Bottom line: Impressive tool for introducing block coding and robotics on a ton of devices.
Grades: 2–12
Price: Free, Paid Additional characters and challenges are offered as in-app purchases.
Wonder for Dash and Dot Robots
Serious robotics programming with seriously adorable robots
Bottom line: It's the most challenging and versatile of the Dash and Dot apps and will keep engineering-savvy kids engaged.
Grades: 3–5
Price: Free Requires a Dash or Dot robot, which retail for $49.99–$199.99.
KOOV
Robotics kit makes design possibilities virtually limitless
Bottom line: For schools with healthy budgets, KOOV helps kids design and code interactive robots with blocks, sensors, and imagination.
Grades: 3–8
Price: Paid The app is free to download, but the trial kit is $249.99 and the educator kit is $519.99. Live online professional development is available for $300.
Sphero Edu
Cool robots and creative play make programming irresistible
Bottom line: Hub for Sphero robots draws crafty kids who love making into coding, and it empowers them to be collaborators.
Grades: 3–8
Price: Free, Paid The app is free; Sphero SPRK+ robots can cost $129.99.
Microsoft MakeCode
Bring code to life with circuits, robots, Minecraft, and more
Bottom line: Once you purchase the hardware, MakeCode opens doors to an incredible diversity of coding applications.
Grades: 3–12
Price: Free Users can find links to purchase various hardware and kits that are featured in MakeCode's projects.
Technovation Families
Family-focused site for learning AI well-suited to classrooms, too
Bottom line: Makes artificial intelligence and machine learning accessible to students of many ages and abilities.
Grades: 4–12
Price: Free
Cue by Wonder Workshop
Unique robot sports sweet features but isn't classroom-ready yet
Bottom line: The Cue has great learning potential but needs additional supports to be classroom-friendly.
Grades: 5–8
Price: Free, Paid Requires purchase of Cue robot for $200; in-app purchases for additional avatars cost $4.99 each.
CoderZ
Program virtual 3D robots to complete missions
Bottom line: This coding curriculum has great scaffolding for students, but you'll need to find other ways for students to design and create.
Grades: 6–10
Price: Free to try, Paid After a 14-day free trial, the cost is $6.25 per month for individual users. Classroom subscriptions are available (up to 24 students) for $840 per year, which includes access to the complete curriculum and classroom-management tools. School licenses are also available by quote.
Virtual Robotics Toolkit
Supplement your Lego robotics program with solid simulator
Bottom line: Virtual Robotics Toolkit can up your game by providing useful data as you test code and explore challenges virtually.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Paid $50 for a personal license; contact for pricing for two or more licenses.
