A Hands-On Approach to Robotics for Elementary Students

Robotics is no longer science fiction. It is quickly becoming a key part of today’s classrooms. From household helpers to surgical assistants, robots are shaping the world around us. Now, even elementary students are getting hands-on with this technology.

Imagine a student watching a robot they programmed come to life. That spark of excitement leads to deep engagement, as abstract STEM concepts become real. Robotics sparks creativity, persistence, and problem-solving—skills that students carry far beyond the classroom.

In my own teaching, I introduce robotics through a progression aligned with student development. We start with VEX GO in grades two and three. VEX GO is a colorful, affordable construction system that teaches fundamental STEM concepts through fun, hands-on building and block-based coding experiences. Its approachable design, creative possibilities, and engaging activities help young learners explore engineering and coding in a positive, collaborative way.

Teachers also appreciate the color-coded parts and organized storage, which make classroom setup and cleanup easier. In grades four and five, we move to VEX IQ, where students take on more advanced challenges using sensors, logic-based programming, and mechanical design.

Every class is unique. Some students come with coding or building experience, while others are new to robotics. A clear, step-by-step approach helps all learners build confidence and succeed.

I know this can feel overwhelming at first, so bear with me as I walk through the three core parts of robotics learning: building with the kits, wiring the components included in those kits, and then coding the robot you’ve built and wired to perform tasks.

This approach helps students develop and present the coherence between their story, the code they write, and the robot’s performance.

3 Core Areas of Robotics Learning

1. Building and mechanics (Robot construction): Students use parts from VEX GO and VEX IQ robotics kits, which include gears, wheels, motors, and structural pieces. They assemble their robots and explore how these components affect movement and stability through hands-on experimentation.

Try this: Begin with a simple Code Base drivetrain, which is the robot’s basic moving system made up of motors and wheels that allow it to drive forward, drive backward, and turn. Students start by programming these basic movements to get comfortable controlling their robot. Once they’ve mastered that, you can introduce additional parts like the Eye Sensor, a small device that allows the robot to “see” and detect colors or objects, or an electromagnet, which lets the robot pick up and release metal objects. Adding these components takes us to more complex programming challenges and robot behaviors.

2. Electronics and sensors (robot components and responses): Robots interact with the world using electronic components. Students work with circuits, buttons, lights, and sensors to make their robots more responsive and intelligent.

Try this: Have students program their robot to use the electromagnet to pick up and drop colored disks. For example, the robot could collect a disk from one location and deliver it to another using basic movement and timing. These types of challenges help students understand cause and effect, sequencing, and basic automation.

Classroom favorite: In the VEX GO Disk Mover Challenge, students build a robot with an electromagnet and code it to complete a disk pick-up-and-drop task. As they test and refine their solutions, many students begin to ask, “Can the robot tell which disk is which?” That’s when the Eye Sensor is introduced. By adding it, students learn how their robot can detect colors and respond with specific actions—unlocking deeper concepts like feedback loops, conditional logic, and sensor-driven automation.

3. Programming and control (robot coding): Using VEXcode GO, a block-based programming language similar to Scratch, students learn how to bring their robots to life through code. This visual interface allows them to drag and drop blocks to control movement, sensors, and other robot features, making programming accessible even to beginners.

In the classroom, students work with a physical robot—typically the VEX GO Code Base, a programmable robot built using VEX GO kits. It includes motors and wheels, allowing it to drive forward, turn, and react to its environment when additional components are added.

Try this: Start with a basic task, and have students program the robot to move in a square. Once they understand how to control movement and angles, challenge them to code a more complex shape like an octagon, reinforcing geometry through hands-on learning. This requires 45-degree turns (360 divided by 8) and builds a connection between coding and geometry.

Empowering Students Beyond Robotics

Robotics is more than building machines. It cultivates skills that prepare students for the future. Designing and testing robots strengthens resilience, patience, and independent thinking. Students also learn collaboration, along with how to listen, share, and problem-solve in teams. These social and emotional skills are just as important as the technical ones.

Robotics doesn’t have to be intimidating for teachers, either. By breaking it into manageable pieces and tying learning to hands-on activities, any educator can create powerful STEM experiences—even without a computer science or engineering background.

Whether your students are beginners or headed for competitions, robotics opens up endless possibilities for curiosity, innovation, and self-discovery.

Make robotics Your Own

You don’t need to follow robotics lessons word for word or stick to a rigid script. Every year, you can adapt, experiment, and make changes that fit your students and your teaching style. Each class brings new insights and ideas, and that’s part of what makes the journey exciting. You will grow alongside your students.

If you’re just getting started or looking for a fresh, no-cost activity, try out VEXcode VR. My favorite is the Coral Reef Cleanup Challenge under Select Playground. In this virtual robotics activity, students collect trash to clean up a digital coral reef. After completing the mission, they enter their name and the amount of trash collected to receive a certificate they can print and share. It’s a fun way to combine robotics, environmental awareness, and a sense of achievement.

Curious about the real impact of robotics education? Check out my case study, which highlights how robotics builds engagement, confidence, and collaboration in elementary classrooms.

Let robotics energize your classroom. Give your students the tools to explore, experiment, and innovate. It all starts with a simple build and grows into something extraordinary.