Sixth graders in Design Technology and Engineering recently explored the intersection of coding, movement and creativity by building their own robotic breakdancers.
Students began by watching breakdancing from the 2024 Paris Olympics before turning to the LEGO Education SPIKE Prime Set. Following instructions, they constructed a standardized robot designed to move its arms and legs, an exercise that challenged students to practice spatial reasoning and work carefully through the building process.
Using block-based coding, students programmed their robots to control different movements while building on their understanding of motors and debugging. When the hardware and software didn’t work together as expected, students identified problems, tested solutions and adjusted their code until their dancers moved as intended.
Once the basic models were up and running, students made the breakdancers their own. They crafted colorful paper and felt outfits, skirts, hats, necklaces and other accessories before adjusting their code to choreograph 20 to 30 second routines set to Kidz Bop songs. Students experimented with timing and movement to get their robots dancing along to the beat.
The project combined technical problem-solving with creative expression, giving students the chance to see how code, engineering and imagination can work together.
