Episode 130

full
Published on:

29th Aug 2017

Learn Why @ModRobotics Are A Great Solution To Teaching Robotics In Your Classroom


Jeff sits down with Eric Schweikardt of Modular Robotics to talk about STEM education in today's classrooms. Learn how your students can learn programming skills through Modular Robotics interlocking Cubelets to create amazing robotic projects.

About Modular Robotics

Modular Robotics is home to more than 50 people who design, engineer and manufacture tiny robots. Every day, we work to build robot construction systems for kids because we believe that toys shape the way children think about the world. Our goal is to create remarkable fun play experiences that impart an intuitive understanding of complex systems and design thinking. Our team is comprised of engineers, software developers production specialists and operators.

Links of interest

About Guest

Eric Schweikardt is a designer of tools, robots, architecture and software. He develops concurrent and distributed physical systems with the intention of understanding more about the natural world through model-building. He designed and built roBlocks, a modular robotic construction kit, and is working on evolutionary algorithms for automated design.

Eric finished his PhD in Computational Design in 2008 from Carnegie Mellon University, and is now a visiting scientist at the Cornell Computational Synthesis Laboratory in Ithaca, New York. He studied architecture at the University of Colorado at Boulder and returned there to teach digital modeling and animation. He founded the Allegory Design Group, a web development studio specializing in 3D user interfaces, and worked as a consultant creating architectural renderings and animation for Michael Tavel Architects, Hobbs Design, Wolff Lyon Architects and DKahn Studio.

Eric’s undergraduate research was concerned with pen-based interfaces and the apparent divide between sketching and design development in architecture. This work resulted in Digital Clay, a program that interprets a designer’s isometric (3D) sketches as digital models. Eric has presented work at conferences on Human Computer Interaction (ICMI, TEI), Computer-Aided Design (ACADIA), and Intelligent Toys (DIGITAL).

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About the Podcast

Digital Learning Today
From Strategic Vision to System-Wide Impact
How do we lead sustainable change in our schools? Digital Learning Today, hosted by Jeff Bradbury, explores the big-picture ideas and strategic systems that shape the future of education. This podcast is for the forward-thinking leader—the principal, district administrator, or instructional coach focused on systemic growth. Each episode dives into topics like digital learning leadership, school improvement plans, and building a culture of innovation. Subscribe to join the conversation on designing the high-impact schools of tomorrow.
Whether you're looking to enhance student engagement, master new educational tools, or build stronger classroom relationships, our show provides the actionable advice you need to succeed in today's digital learning environment. Join us weekly for professional development that's both inspiring and immediately applicable.

About your host

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Jeffrey Bradbury

Jeff Bradbury is a globally-recognized educator, educational broadcaster, public speaker, and entrepreneur whose powerful message has inspired thousands of educators through the TeacherCast Educational Network.