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Promoting Your Robot Day

Prompt

Please help us brainstorm on ideas to help promote a
Robot Day at a school. Our goal is to find cost-effective
ways to get our stakeholders excited about promoting
STEM and AI in our school.

Return each suggested idea in a level three markdown header.

Response

  1. Host a Robotics Show-and-Tell Featuring Student Projects

  2. Invite Local Robotics Clubs or University Teams for a Demonstration

  3. Organize a Low-Cost "Build-a-Bot" Challenge with Recycled Materials

  4. Offer Short STEM Workshops Led by Tech-Savvy Parents or Alumni

  5. Create a Virtual Tour of Local Tech Companies' Robotics Labs

  6. Run a Mini Coding Bootcamp Using Free Online Tutorials and Tools

  7. Launch a "Robot Mascot" Design Competition with Simple Art Supplies

  8. Share Success Stories and Testimonials via Social Media and Email

  9. Provide a Simple Hands-On Robot Kit for a Class Raffle

  10. Develop a "STEM Careers" Wall of Fame Featuring Successful Alumni

Detailed Plan Prompt

Now for each idea, return a detailed plan of
how to implement these ideas.

Note

The following text was lightly edited to include links directly to resources we manage. The original transcript is here

Host a Robotics Show-and-Tell Featuring Student Projects

Plan:

  1. Identify Participants: Ask teachers who have worked on robotics or STEM projects to select a few standout student projects. Invite these students to present.
  2. Schedule and Venue: Reserve a classroom or gymnasium after school. Set a specific date and time convenient for families and other students to attend.
  3. Promotion: Send out flyers, emails, and social media posts announcing the event. Include photos of previous projects to spark interest.
  4. Format of Presentations: Have each student or group of students do a short (5--10 min) demo of their robot and explain how it works, what they learned, and the challenges they faced.
  5. Engagement Activities: Provide a simple Q&A session after each presentation and a "vote for your favorite project" activity to encourage audience participation.
  6. Follow-Up: Post photos and short videos of the show-and-tell on the school website and social media channels, highlighting student achievements.

Invite Local Robotics Clubs or University Teams for a Demonstration

Plan:

  1. Research Contacts: Reach out to local robotics clubs, high school teams, or nearby university robotics departments.
  2. Set a Date: Coordinate a day that aligns with Robots Day activities and works for the visiting team.
  3. Demonstration Setup: Provide a classroom, auditorium, or open area where the visiting team can set up their robot(s). Ensure access to power and Wi-Fi if necessary.
  4. Student Interaction: Arrange for a Q&A session. Encourage students to ask about the engineering design process, coding challenges, and how to get involved in robotics clubs.
  5. Promotion: Notify parents, send invitations to community members, and put up posters in hallways.
  6. Media Coverage: Record the demonstration, take photos, and share these on the school website or social media, creating lasting excitement around STEM.

Organize a Low-Cost "Build-a-Bot" Challenge with Recycled Materials

Plan:

  1. Materials Collection: Ask students and parents to donate common recyclables like cardboard boxes, plastic bottles, straws, and old toy parts.
  2. Rules and Guidelines: Set simple rules---teams of 2--4 students must build a "robot" that can perform a simple task (e.g., move on wheels, spin a propeller). No expensive electronics required.
  3. Workshop Day: Host a session where teams brainstorm and sketch out their robot designs before building. Provide a small set of craft tools (glue guns, tape, scissors).
  4. Judging Criteria: Evaluate projects on creativity, functionality, and presentation. Have a panel of teachers or older students serve as judges.
  5. Awards: Offer inexpensive rewards like printed certificates or a photo feature in the school newsletter.
  6. Showcase: Display the completed robots in a hallway or library to inspire others.

You can find examples of STEM Robots under $20 at the STEM Robots website.

Offer Short STEM Workshops Led by Tech-Savvy Teachers, Parents or Alumni

Plan:

  1. Identify Volunteers: Send out a call through parent groups, alumni networks, and newsletters asking for individuals with STEM expertise to volunteer as workshop leaders.
  2. Workshop Topics: Offer short, focused sessions (30--60 minutes) on basic coding, simple robotics assembly, or AI concepts tailored to student age groups.
  3. Scheduling: Host these workshops throughout Robots Day at different times so students can attend multiple sessions.
  4. Classroom Setup: Provide a classroom with basic tech (computers or tablets, if possible). For hands-on sessions, prepare simple kits or online simulators.
  5. Student Registration: Have students sign up for the workshops in advance to manage class size.
  6. Follow-Up Materials: Provide participants with a one-page cheat sheet or link to online resources so they can continue exploring after the event.

You can find a detailed plan in our Two Hour STEM Robot Workshop for Teachers.

Create a Virtual Tour of Local Tech Companies' Robotics Labs

Plan:

  1. Contact Companies: Reach out to local robotics startups or established tech firms, asking if they can host a short virtual tour (live video conference or pre-recorded video).
  2. Preview Content: Confirm that the video content is appropriate and geared toward a school audience.
  3. Tech Setup: Use a classroom projector or the school auditorium's AV system to show the virtual tour to students during Robots Day. Ensure stable internet connection.
  4. Discussion Guide: Before viewing, give students key points to look out for (e.g., types of robots, roles of engineers, interesting applications of AI).
  5. Q&A Session: If live, arrange a short Q&A with a company representative. If recorded, teachers can lead a discussion post-viewing.
  6. Reflection Activity: Have students write a short response or draw what inspired them from the tour.

Run a Mini Coding Bootcamp Using Free Online Tutorials and Tools

Plan:

  1. Curriculum Selection: Choose a free online coding platform (e.g., Scratch, Code.org) suitable for the school's student age range.
  2. Short Sessions: Schedule brief, 30-minute sessions throughout Robots Day where students learn basic programming concepts.
  3. Volunteer Instructors: Recruit tech-savvy high school students, teachers, or parent volunteers to assist as mentors.
  4. Progressive Challenges: Start with a super-simple tutorial, then provide slightly harder challenges as students advance.
  5. Showcase Success: Encourage students to show their finished projects on a shared screen. Print out "I'm a Coder!" badges or stickers.
  6. Take-Home Links: Provide links to continue learning at home, encouraging sustained interest beyond Robots Day.

Launch a "Robot Mascot" Design Competition with Simple Art Supplies

Plan:

  1. Announce the Contest: Describe that students should design a robot mascot that symbolizes the school's commitment to STEM and AI.
  2. Guidelines: Limit materials to paper, markers, pencils, or low-cost craft supplies. Students can draw or create small 3D models.
  3. Submission Drop Box: Set up a submission box in the library or hallway. Give students one week prior to Robots Day to submit.
  4. Judging Panel: Assemble a small group of teachers, older students, and possibly a local artist to judge the entries on creativity and relevance.
  5. Display Entries: On Robots Day, exhibit all entries in a prominent area. Highlight the winner and runners-up.
  6. Use the Mascot: Incorporate the winning design into future robotics newsletters or t-shirts to keep excitement alive year-round.

Share Success Stories and Testimonials via Social Media and Email

Plan:

  1. Collect Stories: Interview students who have enjoyed STEM clubs, teachers who have successfully integrated robotics into their curriculum, and parents who have noticed positive changes.
  2. Short Videos and Quotes: Create brief video interviews or pull quotes. Include photos of students working on robots or coding projects.
  3. Regular Posts: Leading up to Robots Day, share one story per week on the school's social media channels and in email newsletters.
  4. Highlight Achievements: Emphasize how these stories connect to bigger goals---improved problem-solving skills, creativity, and readiness for future careers.
  5. Encourage Engagement: Ask followers to comment, like, or share posts to spread the excitement.
  6. After the Event: Post a Robots Day recap featuring highlights, turnout numbers, and student reflections.

Provide a Simple Hands-On Robot Kit for a Class Raffle

Plan:

  1. Inexpensive Kit Sourcing: Purchase or request a donation of a basic robotics kit (e.g., a simple programmable car kit) that's affordable yet educational.
  2. Raffle Tickets: Give out free raffle tickets to students who attend certain Robots Day activities (like workshops or the show-and-tell).
  3. Drawing the Winner: Conduct the raffle draw at the end of Robots Day in a public setting, like the auditorium.
  4. Announce Winner Publicly: Celebrate the winner, encourage them to share their building experience, and ask them to bring the finished robot to school later to show classmates.
  5. Promotional Angle: Promote the raffle beforehand on flyers and social media to build excitement.
  6. Follow-Up: Feature the winner's completed robot in a newsletter or social media post to inspire others.

Develop a "STEM Careers" Wall of Fame Featuring Successful Alumni

Plan:

  1. Alumni Outreach: Contact former students who have pursued STEM degrees or careers. Ask them to submit a short bio, a photo, and a sentence or two about their work.
  2. Create Posters: Design simple, attractive posters with the alumni's name, graduation year, college attended (if applicable), and current role.
  3. Display Location: Choose a central hallway or library wall. Arrange the posters in a clean, visually appealing layout.
  4. Rotating Content: Each year, update the display with new alumni stories to keep it fresh.
  5. Integrate QR Codes: Include QR codes linking to short video interviews or LinkedIn profiles where students can learn more.
  6. Classroom Integration: Teachers can assign reflective prompts or discussions about the variety of STEM paths represented, reinforcing that robotics and AI open doors to many future opportunities.