ROBOT BUILDING WORKSHOP

During the Robot Building Workshop, children were first introduced to robotics by exploring different kinds of robots through pictures, videos, movies, exhibitions, and the robots already available in the kindergarten, helping them understand what robots are, how they work, and why they matter in today’s world. After this introduction, children in all participating countries worked with the Brio builder set; if the materials were new to them, they first explored and named the different parts. In small collaborative groups, they sketched their robot designs on paper or tablets, thinking about how their robot should be built, who would use it—whether adults, children, or teachers—and how it could help or improve daily life. Based on their designs, the children then built their robots using Brio materials, with teachers guiding the process while encouraging independent problem‑solving and hands‑on learning. To bring their robots to life, teachers introduced simple, age‑appropriate programming concepts, using Brio components that enable sound or movement, and children could also experiment with creative apps such as ChatterPix Kids for adding voices or Stop Motion Studio to animate their robots. After building and programming, the children tested their robots, fixed problems, and made improvements, developing critical thinking, creativity, and teamwork. The workshop concluded with a virtual meeting where children from Finland, Poland, and Slovenia proudly presented their robots to one another.