In the ever-evolving world of STEM education, passionate educators are leading the way to shape the future of learning. One such educator is Dr. Rabieh J. Hafza, better known as Jamal, the Director of STEM & Innovative Practice at Henry County Schools in Georgia. Jamal’s dedication to robotics, automation, and coding integration has made a lasting impact on students and educators alike, earning him a spot as one of the nation’s Top 10 STEM Directors in Education by Education Technology Insights. 

Under his leadership, Henry County Schools has seamlessly integrated Ozobot products across different grade levels, fostering hands-on learning experiences that inspire students to think critically, problem-solve creatively, and collaborate effectively. From rolling out the Ozobot Robotic Arm (ORA) in middle school engineering labs to incorporating Evo in elementary STEM programs, Jamal is at the forefront of advancing STEM education. We had the privilege of speaking with him about his journey, achievements, and vision for the future.

Q&A with Jamal Hafza

How have students responded to using Ozobot’s Evo in your district’s STEM programs?

Students truly enjoy the integration of Ozobot Evo during instruction in the STEM Labs to deepen their understanding of various content areas. The lessons provided in Ozobot Classroom are easy to follow for both teachers and students. Our STEM Lab teacher Heather Pouliot shared, “My students love using the Ozobot Evos! They keep students engaged from the beginning, and at the end of the task, most students want to keep going. The students are quick to understand the foundational parts of a lesson and then are ready to enhance and expand on what they are doing to produce more strategic outcomes. Using them to work on group tasks has also improved student collaboration and communication skills.”

What improvements have you seen in student engagement and learning outcomes since integrating Ozobot products?

Integrating Ozobot products into our STEM labs has significantly enhanced student engagement and learning outcomes across multiple content areas. By incorporating coding and programming into subjects like literacy, math, science, and engineering, students are mastering technical skills while becoming active problem-solvers. This dynamic approach fosters curiosity and sustained interest, essential for long-term learning success.

A key observation from teachers is that increased engagement drives deeper learning, as students are more motivated to experiment, iterate, and collaborate. This synthesis of engagement and outcomes creates a sustainable learning environment where students build confidence and resilience in tackling challenges. Moreover, this hands-on, design-thinking approach nurtures creativity and critical thinking—skills essential for future innovation. By focusing on both engagement and outcomes, we are cultivating a classroom culture where exploration, innovation, and meaningful learning are prioritized.

What advice would you give to other school district administrators and educators who are considering incorporating Ozobot into their STEM curricula?

Incorporating Ozobot into a STEM curriculum can significantly enhance student engagement and learning. Based on our district’s experience, we recommend starting with comprehensive teacher training and utilizing Ozobot’s online resources as a foundation for customized lessons. Ozobot Evo robots effectively integrate coding with literacy, math, and science in elementary STEM labs, while the ORA in middle school engineering classes promotes coding, mechanical design, and automation. Encourage educators to create and share their own lessons to foster innovation and collaboration. Regularly assess and celebrate successes to build momentum and ensure meaningful learning experiences for students.

How do you see robotics and AI shaping the future of STEM education?

Robotics and AI are poised to transform the future of STEM education by shifting the focus from passive learning to active problem-solving and innovation. Anchoring STEM education in robotics lays a strong foundation for hands-on learning, allowing students to build critical coding, engineering, and automation skills. Integrating AI alongside robotics further enhances this by introducing students to machine learning, data analysis, and intelligent systems—skills that are increasingly essential in today’s technology-driven world.

In our district, using tools like Evo robots in elementary classrooms and ORA robotic arms in middle school classrooms have proven that these technologies can seamlessly enhance instruction across subjects, from literacy and math to engineering and automation. As students engage with both robotics and AI, they develop the ability to think creatively, solve complex problems, and collaborate effectively—skills that will prepare them for future careers in emerging fields. Schools should prioritize teacher training, resource customization, and lesson sharing to fully realize the potential of these technologies and create a dynamic, future-ready STEM curriculum.

What’s next for your district’s STEM initiatives, and how do you see Ozobot continuing to play a role?

Manufacturing and automation are rapidly growing industries, and preparing students for these fields is a key focus of our district’s evolving STEM initiatives. Expanding the use of Ozobot ORA robotic arms in middle school engineering classes will provide students with hands-on experience in coding, engineering design, and automation—skills critical for success in these sectors.

Additionally, we plan to scale the integration of Ozobot Evo robots beyond elementary STEM labs to support cross-curricular learning. By incorporating coding and robotics into subjects such as literacy, math, and science, students will develop transferable problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration skills.

As we expand these initiatives, we aim to create a seamless STEM pipeline from elementary through middle school, equipping students with a strong foundation for future studies and careers in advanced technology and innovation. Teacher training and lesson customization will remain key priorities to ensure effective and engaging implementation.

Jamal Hafza’s leadership in STEM education is a testament to the power of innovation and hands-on learning in preparing students for the future. By integrating Ozobot products into Henry County Schools’ curriculum, he is creating opportunities for students to explore, experiment, and excel in STEM fields. As robotics and AI continue to evolve, educators like Jamal are leading the charge in ensuring that students are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in a rapidly advancing world.

We at Ozobot are proud to support educators like Jamal in their mission to inspire and empower the next generation of innovators. Stay tuned for more Outstanding Educator Spotlights, where we highlight the incredible work of teachers and administrators who are making a difference in STEM education!

The post Outstanding Educator Spotlight: Dr. Rabieh J. “Jamal” Hafza appeared first on Ozobot.

The world of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) has traditionally been dominated by men, creating an imbalance that affects innovation, research outcomes, and workplace culture. When we inspire girls to pursue STEM careers, we’re not just opening doors for individual success—we’re ensuring that the technologies and scientific advances of tomorrow reflect diverse perspectives and serve everyone equally.

Studies consistently show that diverse teams produce more innovative solutions and achieve better results. Women bring unique viewpoints and problem-solving approaches that complement and enhance traditionally male-dominated fields. Yet, despite making up roughly half the workforce, women remain significantly underrepresented in many STEM disciplines, particularly in leadership positions.

By encouraging more girls to explore and embrace STEM subjects from an early age, we can help close this gap, ensuring that the next generation of scientists, programmers, engineers, and mathematicians represents the full spectrum of human talent and experience.

The Current Landscape: Progress and Persistent Challenges

While the past decade has shown measurable progress in girls’ participation in STEM education, significant hurdles remain. According to recent statistics:

• Women earn only about 20% of bachelor’s degrees in engineering, computer science, and physics
• The percentage of women decreases at each step up the career ladder in most STEM fields
• Girls typically report lower confidence in their STEM abilities compared to boys, even when they perform equally well or better

The encouraging news is that intentional intervention programs are proving effective. Schools and organizations implementing targeted STEM engagement for girls see dramatically improved participation rates and attitude shifts. These success stories demonstrate that the gender gap isn’t inevitable—it’s addressable through thoughtful, consistent effort.

Practical Strategies to Inspire Girls in STEM

1. Encourage Curiosity and Exploration

Girls thrive when given space to question, experiment, and discover. Create environments where curiosity is celebrated, not stifled. Simple activities like taking apart old electronics, building structures, or conducting kitchen science experiments can spark lasting interest in STEM concepts.

Ozobot robots provide an excellent platform for this exploration, allowing girls to experiment with coding concepts through both color-coded markers and block-based programming—meeting young learners wherever their interests lie.

2. Introduce Female Role Models

“You can’t be what you can’t see.” This simple truth highlights why representation matters so profoundly. When girls see women succeeding in STEM fields, these careers transform from abstract possibilities to concrete goals.

Beyond famous figures like Marie Curie and Mae Jemison, consider introducing girls to local women working in STEM. Arrange virtual or in-person meetings with female engineers, scientists, or programmers who can share their journeys and answer questions about their daily work.

3. Promote STEM As Fun and Creative

Too often, STEM subjects are presented as rigid and rule-bound, when in reality they’re deeply creative disciplines. Emphasize how coding is similar to storytelling, how engineering is about creative problem-solving, and how mathematics helps us understand patterns in the world around us.

Projects that combine art and science—like creating light-up greeting cards with simple circuits or designing digital animations—can help girls see the creative potential in technical fields.

4. Create Supportive Communities

Girls benefit enormously from peer groups where they can share their interests without judgment. Whether through after-school clubs, online forums, or organizations like Girls Who Code, these communities provide encouragement, mentorship, and a sense of belonging that can sustain interest through challenging moments.

5. Provide Hands-On Learning Experiences

Abstract concepts become concrete through hands-on activities. Workshops, camps, and hackathons offer immersive experiences that build skills, confidence, and enthusiasm. Look for opportunities that emphasize collaboration over competition, as research suggests this approach particularly resonates with many girls.

6. Highlight Real-World Impact

Many girls are motivated by the potential to make a positive difference in the world. Showcase how STEM professionals are addressing climate change, developing life-saving medical technologies, improving education access, and solving other pressing global challenges.

Connect STEM learning to social impact by encouraging projects that address community needs—like designing water filtration systems, creating apps that help vulnerable populations, or analyzing data related to local environmental concerns.

7. Challenge Gender Stereotypes

Actively counter messages that certain fields are “for boys.” Point out examples of successful women in various STEM disciplines, and be mindful of how toys, media, and educational materials might reinforce limiting stereotypes. Encourage critical thinking about gender assumptions in everyday life.

8. Embrace Growth Mindset Principles

Recent research in educational psychology highlights the importance of fostering a growth mindset—the belief that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. This is particularly crucial for girls in STEM, who may face negative stereotypes about innate ability.

Praise effort and strategy rather than intelligence. When girls struggle with difficult concepts, frame these challenges as opportunities for brain growth rather than signs they don’t belong. A simple shift from “I can’t do this” to “I can’t do this yet” can make a remarkable difference in persistence.

Pioneers and Trailblazers: Women Who Changed STEM

Historical Figures Who Broke Barriers

Marie Curie didn’t just become the first woman to win a Nobel Prize—she remains the only person to win Nobel Prizes in two different scientific fields (Physics and Chemistry). Her pioneering work on radioactivity laid the groundwork for modern nuclear science and cancer treatments.

Ada Lovelace looked beyond the calculating capabilities of Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine to envision how machines could manipulate symbols and even create music—essentially describing computer programming a century before computers existed.

Katherine Johnson’s brilliant mathematical calculations were critical to the success of NASA’s early space missions. Her trajectory analysis was so trusted that astronaut John Glenn specifically requested she verify the electronic calculations before his historic orbital flight.

Grace Hopper developed the first compiler for computer programming languages, paving the way for more accessible programming languages. Her pioneering work bridged human language and machine code, making computing more accessible to everyone.

Modern Leaders Reshaping the Future

Dr. Ellen Ochoa broke multiple barriers as the first Hispanic woman in space before going on to lead NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Her work combines engineering expertise with institutional leadership, demonstrating how women can excel at both technical innovation and organizational guidance.

Megan Smith brought her experience as a Google executive to government service as U.S. Chief Technology Officer under President Obama, working to harness technology for public good and increasing digital access across communities.

Ginni Rometty guided IBM through a critical transformation period as its first female CEO, focusing the company on emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and quantum computing.

Dr. Fei-Fei Li, a pioneer in artificial intelligence and computer vision, co-founded AI4ALL, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing diversity and inclusion in AI education, research, and policy. Her work demonstrates how women leaders often prioritize the ethical dimensions and societal impacts of technology.

Beyond the Classroom: Creating STEM-Friendly Homes

Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in nurturing girls’ STEM interests outside of formal educational settings:

Everyday STEM Conversations

Look for opportunities to highlight STEM concepts in daily life. Discuss the chemistry happening during cooking, the physics of playground equipment, or the mathematical patterns in nature during walks. These casual conversations normalize STEM as part of everyday experience rather than something separate and intimidating.

Thoughtful Toy Selection

Provide building toys, science kits, and technology tools from an early age. Research shows that spatial skills—strongly correlated with success in many STEM fields—can be developed through play with construction toys, puzzles, and games that involve mental rotation and visualization.

Media Literacy

Critically examine how STEM fields and practitioners are portrayed in books, movies, and television shows your children consume. Seek out media featuring diverse STEM characters who defy stereotypes, and discuss media representations that reinforce limiting gender norms.

Home Projects with Purpose

Engage girls in family projects with STEM components, whether it’s building a backyard weather station, creating a home automation system, or analyzing data from a family fitness challenge. Projects that solve real problems or answer authentic questions have particularly strong appeal.

After-School Programs and Clubs for Girls in STEM

Connecting girls with structured programs outside of school hours can significantly boost their interest and confidence in STEM subjects. Here are some of the most effective organizations offering girl-centered STEM experiences:

National Organizations with Local Chapters

• Girls Who Code – Clubs and summer programs teaching coding in supportive environments
• Girl Scouts STEM Programs – STEM badges, robotics teams, and specialized activities
• Black Girls CODE – Workshops empowering girls of color in technology
• Techbridge Girls – Programs designed for girls from low-income communities

Competition-Based Programs

• FIRST LEGO League – Many all-girl teams participate in this robotics competition
• Technovation Challenge – Girls develop mobile apps addressing community problems
• Science Olympiad – Team-based competitions with many schools forming all-girl teams

Corporate and University-Sponsored Programs

• EngineerGirl Ambassadors Program – Supports girls in developing community engineering projects
• Kode With Klossy – Free coding camps founded by Karlie Kloss
• AAUW Tech Trek – Week-long summer camps hosted at college campuses

If these organizations don’t have chapters nearby, consider starting a school-based STEM club with female mentors, connecting with local companies for sponsorship, or creating a DIY club using free curriculum resources from organizations like Code.org.

Addressing Intersectionality: Supporting All Girls in STEM

Girls’ experiences in STEM are not monolithic—they’re shaped by intersecting factors including race, socioeconomic status, disability, and geography. Effective STEM inclusion efforts recognize and address these multiple dimensions:

Economic Access

Ensure that financial barriers don’t prevent participation. Look for free programs, equipment lending libraries, and scholarship opportunities. Many technology companies offer grants specifically for underrepresented groups in STEM education.

Cultural Relevance

STEM education resonates more deeply when connected to students’ cultural contexts and community knowledge. Programs that incorporate diverse cultural perspectives and recognize the scientific contributions from various global traditions tend to engage a broader range of students.

Ability-Inclusive Approaches

Design STEM activities that accommodate different learning styles and physical abilities. Universal design principles benefit all learners while ensuring that girls with disabilities aren’t excluded from hands-on STEM experiences.

Rural Engagement

Girls in rural communities often face additional barriers including limited broadband access and fewer in-person STEM programs. Virtual mentoring, mobile STEM labs, and community-based initiatives can help bridge this geographic divide.

The Ripple Effect: Benefits of Women in STEM

When we inspire girls to pursue STEM careers, the positive effects extend far beyond individual achievement:

More inclusive product design: From smartphones sized for the average male hand to early automobile safety tests using only male-sized crash test dummies, products designed primarily by men often fail to account for women’s needs. Greater diversity in engineering and design teams leads to products that work better for everyone.

Reduced algorithmic bias: AI systems trained on biased data can perpetuate and amplify societal inequalities. Having diverse teams developing these systems helps identify and address potential biases before they’re built into the technology we all use.

Economic empowerment: STEM careers typically offer higher salaries and greater job security. Increasing women’s participation in these fields contributes to economic equality and independence.

Broader research agendas: Studies show that research teams with greater gender diversity tend to ask different questions and explore a wider range of applications, leading to more comprehensive scientific understanding.

Getting Started with Ozobot

Ozobot’s programmable robots offer an engaging gateway to coding concepts for learners of all ages. With both screen-free and on-screen programming options, these small but mighty bots make abstract computational thinking tangible and fun. Here are a few project ideas especially designed to engage girls:

• Design a dance choreography that combines creative expression with precise programming
• Create a storytelling maze where Ozobot navigates through a narrative your child creates
• Build a nature-inspired obstacle course that challenges Ozobot to navigate like animals do in their habitats
• Program solutions to community problems, simulating how technology can address real-world challenges

Educator’s Corner: Creating STEM-Friendly Classrooms

Educators play a pivotal role in either reinforcing or challenging gender stereotypes in STEM. Consider these evidence-based practices for creating more inclusive learning environments:

Monitor Participation Patterns

Research shows that teachers often unconsciously call on boys more frequently in STEM classes. Intentionally track participation to ensure equitable engagement, using techniques like random name selection or participation tokens to distribute speaking opportunities fairly.

Highlight Diverse Contributors

When teaching about scientific discoveries or technological innovations, make a point to include diverse contributors, emphasizing how breakthroughs typically emerge from collaborative work rather than lone genius narratives.

Provide Process-Focused Feedback

Girls often receive more feedback on presentation (neatness, compliance with instructions) while boys receive more content-focused feedback. Challenge yourself to provide all students with substantive comments on their thinking and problem-solving approaches.

Create Collaborative Learning Structures

Design group projects that require varied skills and assign roles that rotate regularly, ensuring all students gain experience with technical leadership positions rather than falling into gendered patterns of work distribution.

Looking Ahead: Emerging STEM Fields

As we encourage girls to explore STEM pathways, it’s worth highlighting emerging interdisciplinary fields that may particularly benefit from diverse perspectives:

Sustainable Technology

The intersection of environmental science and engineering is creating new careers focused on developing carbon-neutral technologies, improving energy efficiency, and designing sustainable systems. These purpose-driven fields often appeal to students motivated by environmental concerns.

Biomedical Engineering

Combining biological sciences with engineering principles, this rapidly growing field creates medical devices, artificial organs, and prosthetics. The direct human impact of these innovations can resonate strongly with girls looking for meaningful career paths.

Data Science for Social Good

Organizations across sectors now leverage data analysis to address social challenges from healthcare access to educational equity. This fusion of technical skills with social impact draws talent who might not otherwise consider purely technical roles.

Human-Computer Interaction

This multidisciplinary field focuses on designing technology that works well for actual humans, requiring not just technical skills but also understanding of psychology, design, and cultural factors—a combination that often appeals to students with varied interests.

The Future is Female (and STEM)

The next generation of breakthroughs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics will come from today’s young minds. By actively encouraging girls to explore these fields, providing them with role models, hands-on experiences, and supportive communities, we’re not just opening doors for individual success—we’re ensuring that humanity’s technological future benefits from the full spectrum of human talent and perspective.

Every time a girl discovers the thrill of solving a difficult math problem, successfully debugs her first program, designs an innovative solution to an engineering challenge, or makes a scientific observation that sparks further questions, we move one step closer to a more innovative, equitable, and inspired world.

The path to greater representation in STEM begins with simple encouragement: “Yes, you can do this—and the world needs your unique perspective.”

Resources for Continued Learning

For parents, educators, and mentors looking to further support girls in STEM, we recommend these additional resources:

• National Girls Collaborative Project – Connects organizations serving girls in STEM
• SciGirls – PBS show and educational resources specifically designed to engage girls in STEM
• AAUW’s Research on Girls in STEM – Evidence-based approaches to closing the gender gap
• If/Then Collection – Free, downloadable photos of diverse women in STEM careers
• Ozobot’s Educator Resources – Lesson plans and project ideas that support inclusive STEM education

The post Inspiring Girls to Pursue STEM Careers: Breaking Barriers and Building Futures appeared first on Ozobot.

Ozobot: A Must-Have STEM Toy for 2025

Ozobot Evo – A Pocket-Sized Coding Powerhouse

Ozobot Evo is a versatile and compact robot designed to teach coding in two engaging ways, making it an excellent tool for beginners and advanced learners alike:

Screen-Free with Color Codes – By drawing paths and commands with markers, Evo follows the lines and executes programmed actions. This method is ideal for young learners developing computational thinking without needing a screen.

Screen-Based with Ozobot Blockly – More advanced users can explore block-based programming and progress through five skill levels, mastering real-world coding concepts interactively.

Evo’s adaptability ensures that students continue to be challenged as they develop new skills. With 700+ free lessons and activities, Evo is a top choice for home and classroom learning.

Ozobot STEAM Kits & Accessories – Enhancing Hands-On Learning

For those looking to expand their Ozobot experience, STEAM Kits provide a structured way to integrate coding and creativity into classrooms or at-home learning. These kits include interactive activities, coding challenges, and hands-on projects designed to develop students’ computational thinking skills.

Additionally, Ozobot Crawlers offer an exciting way to transform Evo into a moving machine, allowing kids to explore engineering principles by building and attaching crawler extensions to their robots.

Ozobot products are designed to align with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) education, fostering essential skills in problem-solving, logical thinking, and creativity.

How Ozobot Supports Educational Standards

Educators will appreciate that Ozobot aligns with key educational frameworks, including:

NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards) – Supporting engineering design processes and computational thinking

Common Core State Standards – Reinforcing mathematical practices and problem-solving

ISTE Standards – Meeting technology integration benchmarks for digital-age learning

Teachers report that Ozobot’s curriculum integration is seamless, with ready-to-use lesson plans that address multiple subject areas while keeping students engaged and motivated.

More Top Educational STEM Toys of 2025

While Ozobot leads the way in coding and robotics education, here are a few other standout STEM toys that enhance learning in different ways:

Valtech Magna-Tiles

These magnetic building tiles encourage open-ended play, helping children develop spatial awareness, engineering skills, and creativity. By constructing 2D and 3D structures, kids explore geometry and problem-solving in a hands-on way.

Osmo Genius Starter Kit

A tablet-based learning system that blends physical play with digital interaction, helping kids develop skills in math, spelling, and drawing through engaging, hands-on activities.

National Geographic Slime Kit

A hands-on science kit that allows kids to experiment with different types of slime, learning about polymers, chemistry, and non-Newtonian fluids in a fun and engaging way.

Snap Circuits Pro

Perfect for budding engineers, Snap Circuits Pro introduces the basics of electrical engineering through easy-to-assemble, snap-together components that create functioning circuits.

For further recommendations and expert insights, check out this guide from The New York Times Wirecutter, where products are carefully tested and reviewed.

Emerging Trends in STEM Toys for 2025

The landscape of educational toys continues to evolve, with several notable trends shaping the industry this year:

AI-Enhanced Learning

More STEM toys now incorporate adaptive learning algorithms that personalize the experience based on a child’s skill level and progress. Ozobot’s latest software updates include AI-driven challenges that adjust in complexity as children master new concepts.

Sustainability Focus

Eco-friendly manufacturing and recyclable materials are becoming standard in premium STEM toys. Companies are not only teaching science concepts but also environmental responsibility through their products.

Cross-Disciplinary Integration

The most effective STEM toys of 2025 break down barriers between disciplines, showing children how science, technology, engineering, art, and math interact in the real world. Ozobot exemplifies this approach by combining programming concepts with artistic expression and mathematical principles.

Why Choose Ozobot for STEM Learning?

While many STEM toys provide valuable educational experiences, Ozobot Evo stands out as a uniquely versatile learning tool. Unlike other robots, Evo offers both screen-free and digital coding options, allowing children to transition seamlessly from basic to advanced programming at their own pace. Whether a child is just starting their STEM journey or looking to enhance their coding skills, Ozobot grows with them, ensuring long-term educational value.

Ozobot is also backed by an extensive library of free lessons, teacher resources, and interactive activities, making it an ideal choice for parents, educators, and students alike.

Getting Started with STEM Learning at Home

Creating a STEM-friendly environment at home doesn’t require an elaborate setup. Here are some tips for parents:

1. Start with curiosity – Encourage questions and exploration
2. Embrace failure – Teach children that mistakes are part of the learning process
3. Set challenges, not rules – Allow for creative problem-solving
4. Learn alongside them – Show enthusiasm for discovering new concepts together
5. Connect to real-world applications – Help children see how STEM skills apply in everyday life

Ready to bring coding and creativity to your home or classroom? Explore the full range of Ozobot products and start your STEM learning journey today!

The post The Best Educational STEM Toys of 2025 appeared first on Ozobot.

Coding a Lucky Path with Ozobot
Transform your classroom or living room into a St. Patrick’s Day adventure by having students guide Ozobot through a path filled with shamrocks, rainbows, and leprechaun footprints. Using Ozobot Blockly or Color Codes, students can code their Ozobot to follow the green paths and solve puzzles that lead them to hidden pots of gold!

Materials Needed:

• Ozobot Evo
• Printed templates of rainbow paths, shamrocks, and treasure maps
• Ozobot Color Code Markers, paper, and scissors for creating colorful decorations

St. Patrick’s Day Storytelling with Ozobot
Combine creativity and coding by having students create their own St. Patrick’s Day stories using Ozobot. They can code their robot to move through different parts of the story, such as traveling to find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, meeting a leprechaun, or solving riddles. Students will not only practice coding, but they’ll also enhance their storytelling skills and learn how to sequence events logically.

Materials Needed:

• Ozobot Evo
• Story templates or paper for writing their story
• Ozobot Color Code Markers to decorate their story

Leprechaun Gold Coin Count
Here’s a fun math activity that integrates Ozobot and STEM concepts. Have students code Ozobot to collect “gold coins” scattered around a table. Each coin could be assigned a value, and students will need to calculate how much gold Ozobot has collected after completing its journey.

Materials Needed:

• Ozobot Evo
• Paper or plastic “gold coins”
• Ozobot Color Code Markers or stickers for labeling the coins with values

Here are three St. Patrick’s Day STEAM lessons in Ozobot Classroom that you can try today!

Follow the Rainbow
In this St. Patrick’s Day STEAM lesson, students will use Ozobot Blockly to program Evo to follow the rainbow and find the pot of gold! Students will need to ensure Ozobot stays on the path, moves forward, and rotates to get to the prize.

Academic Standards: CSTA, ISTE
Grade Levels: K-2
Subjects: Engineering/Tech, SEL/Digital Citizenship

Download Lesson

Who Can Find the Pot of Gold? (OzoBlockly)
Can your students break the code to find the pot of gold? In this St. Patrick’s Day STEAM lesson, they’ll use Ozobot Blockly and Ozobot’s line-following sensors to navigate the path and uncover the treasure!

Academic Standards: CSTA, ISTE
Grade Levels: 3-5
Subjects: Computer Science, Engineering/Tech

Download Lesson

Who Can Find the Pot of Gold? (Color Codes)
This is a fun game that challenges your students to program Ozobot to find the pot of gold. Although this game was created for St. Patrick’s Day, it’s an activity that can be played all year round!

Academic Standards: CSTA, ISTE
Grade Levels: K-12
Subjects: Computer Science

Download Lesson

Share your St. Patrick’s Day projects with the Ozobot community! Tag @Ozobot or use #Ozobot to show how your students are celebrating with Ozobot.

The post St. Patrick’s Day STEAM Fun appeared first on Ozobot.

Understanding the Importance of Time-Telling Skills

Mastering the ability to read both analog and digital clocks is foundational for children’s daily lives. It fosters punctuality, responsibility and enhances cognitive skills such as critical thinking and problem-solving. Engaging with analog clocks, in particular, aids in understanding the concepts of fractions and spatial reasoning, as children interpret the positions of the hour and minute hands.

Introducing Ozo Tells Time: An Interactive Learning Experience

The Ozo Tells Time STEAM Kit is designed to transform the traditional method of teaching time into an interactive and enjoyable experience. By pairing with the Evo coding robot, this kit allows students to explore hours and minutes in a hands-on manner. The inclusion of fraction-of-the-clock pieces provides a visual representation of how clocks are divided into quarters, halves, and thirds, reinforcing essential math skills related to fractions. ​

Key Features and Educational Benefits

1. Hands-On Learning: Students actively engage with the clock components, moving beyond passive learning to a tactile experience that reinforces understanding.​
2. Integration with Coding: By utilizing the Evo robot, students not only learn to tell time but also gain introductory exposure to coding and robotics, aligning with STEAM education goals.​
3. Comprehensive Curriculum: The kit includes ready-to-use lessons covering topics such as differentiating between AM and PM, reading 24-hour time, and relating daily routines to specific times. ​
4. Collaborative Learning: Designed to engage up to four students per kit, Ozo Tells Time promotes teamwork and communication skills as students work together to solve time-related challenges.

Aligning with Daylight Saving Time

With daylight saving time approaching, Ozo Tells Time offers a timely opportunity to discuss the concept of time changes with students. Educators and parents can use the kit to explain why clocks are adjusted and how it affects daily schedules, making the learning experience relevant and current.​

Supporting Educators and Parents

Ozo Tells Time is not only a tool for students but also a valuable resource for educators and parents. The kit’s structured lessons and activities provide a clear roadmap for teaching time-telling skills, ensuring that instructional time is used efficiently. For parents, it offers an opportunity to engage with their children’s learning in a meaningful way, reinforcing concepts at home

The ability to tell time is a crucial life skill that serves as a foundation for various aspects of daily life and academic learning. The Ozobot Ozo Tells Time STEAM Kit brings this learning to life through interactive, hands-on experiences that resonate with students. As we prepare for the upcoming daylight saving time change, integrating this kit into educational settings can enhance students’ understanding of time, making the transition smoother and more educational.​

By embracing innovative tools like Ozo Tells Time, we equip our children with the skills they need to navigate the world confidently and competently.

The post Prep for Daylight Savings with Ozo Tells Time appeared first on Ozobot.

Spring is in the air, and with it, new opportunities to invest in your classroom! The March edition of the Ozobot Grant Report delivers a fresh batch of funding designed to empower your K-12 students with engaging STEM and CTE experiences. Dive in to discover how you can leverage Ozobot’s innovative solutions to build impactful programs. Don’t forget to utilize our free Grant & Funding Tool for expert guidance on grant writing and program development.

New & Noteworthy 

Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center Program Cohort

State: WV

Intent to apply deadline: March 21, 2025

Application deadline: April 18, 2025

To support opportunities for communities to establish or expand high-quality activities in community learning centers that provide quality out-of-school time for academic enrichment opportunities, offer families opportunities for active and meaningful engagement in their children’s education, and offer students programs and services complimentary to their academics.

Eligible Ozobot product: 

• Evo
• Ari
• ORA
• STEAM Kits
• Challenge Mats
• Professional Development
• Curriculum

Quick facts: 

• Up to $250,00 available for eligible applicants 
• Application deadline is 4/18/25
• Learn more here 

South Dakota Workforce Education Grant

State: SD

Application deadline: March 28, 2025

The Workforce Education Grants provide Local Education Agencies (LEAs) in South Dakota the opportunity to make transformative change in career and technical education programs. High quality CTE programs give students the knowledge, skills and experiences to be well prepared for postsecondary education and the workforce. Partnerships among secondary education, postsecondary education, and business & industry lay the foundation for modern CTE programs. These grants will efficiently increase the number of students with access to high quality career and technical education programs in the state.

Eligible Ozobot product:

• ORA
• Ari

Quick facts:

• Up to $225,000 available
• Application deadline is 3/28/25
• Learn more here

North Carolina Digital Learning Initiative

State: NC

Application deadline: April 11, 2025

As the landscape of education continues to change across the state, the competitive Digital Learning Initiative Grants will support Public School Units (PSUs) as they address challenges, harness opportunities, and leverage resources for digital-age teaching and learning. The intention of these grants is to identify innovation across the state that models digital leadership, supports NC educators in their professional growth, and creates opportunities for student centered learning. All North Carolina Public School Units (PSUs) are eligible to apply for the Digital Learning Initiative Grants. Public School Units is an all inclusive term, which includes traditional public school districts, charter schools, lab schools, and regional schools.

Eligible Ozobot product:

• Evo
• Ari
• Professional Development
• Curriculum

Quick facts: 

• Up to $95,000
• Application deadline: April 11, 2025
• Learn more here

The Texas ACE High-Quality Summer Pilot

State: TX

Application deadline: March 13, 2025

The Texas ACE High-Quality Summer Pilot will strengthen the summer programming at existing Texas ACE centers using the Texas Summer Learning Framework.

The goals of the Texas ACE High-Quality Summer Pilot include:

• Support grantees in incorporating research-based practices that have been shown to reduce
  summer learning loss and improve student outcomes
• Support grantees in receiving guidance from summer learning experts to use data to inform
  summer program design and implementation
• Support grantees with developing and implementing a comprehensive impact reporting system
  to gather qualitative and quantitative data, showcasing the positive outcomes of the summer
  program to stakeholders.

Eligible Ozobot product: 

• Evo Classroom Kits 
• Color Code Magnets 
• STEAM Kits 
• Challenge Mats

Quick facts: 

• Up to $55,000 available
• Application deadline is 3/13/25
• Apply here

Computer Science Professional Development Program

State: AZ

Application deadline: June 30, 2025

For schools that serve 9-12 grades and are going to offer a new computer science course(s). Funds must be used for professional development in computer science. The new computer science course must be offered by the school within two years of the grant application approval. Grants are awarded on a first come, first served basis, with priority given to rural schools and schools with 60% or more of their students eligible for Free and Reduced Lunch.

Eligible Ozobot product: 

• Evo Classroom Kits 
• Color Code Magnets 
• Challenge Mats 
• STEAM Kits 

Quick facts: 

• Up to $25,000 available for eligible applicants 
• Application deadline is 6/30/25
• Apply here 

Iowa Computer Science Endorsement Fund

State: IA

Application deadline: May 31, 2025

The goal of this grant funding is to build the capacity of teachers to provide high-quality computer science instruction on the Iowa Computer Science Standards. Grant funds must be used to reimburse educators seeking Computer Science or 5-12 CTE Information Technology endorsements for tuition, books, and associated fees.

Eligible Ozobot product:

• Evo
• Ari
• Curriculum

Quick facts: 

• Application deadline is 5/31/25
• Apply here 

Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant

State: MN

Application deadline: March 19, 2025

The Minnesota Department of Education makes this funding available to all eligible entities for the purpose of creating or expanding community learning centers in order to provide high-quality academic support, enrichment, and youth development programs during non-school hours for young people and their families.

Eligible Ozobot product: 

• Evo
• Ari
• ORA
• STEAM Kits
• Challenge Mats
• Professional Development
• Curriculum

Quick facts: 

• A minimum of $50,000 available for eligible applicants 
• Application deadline is 3/19/25
• Apply here 

STEM Scale-Up Program

State: IA

Application deadline: March 4, 2025

Through the educator application and a review process, educators are awarded the opportunity to participate in the selected STEM programs both in and out of the classroom.

• Evo
• Ari
• ORA
• STEAM Kits
• Challenge Mats
• Professional Development
• Curriculum

Quick facts: 

• Application deadline is 3/4/25
• Apply here 

MA Computer Science Professional Development and Devices

State: MA

Application deadline: March 26, 2025

The purpose of this competitive Computer Science (CS) Professional Development (PD) and Devices grant is to support Massachusetts public school teachers in learning Computer Science content and in purchasing student learning devices
for their classrooms. Funds under this grant may be used to attend select summer Professional Learning workshops run by our CS professional development provider CSforMA and purchase classroom devices and accessories associated with that workshop. Optionally, schools may use these funds to purchase devices or accessories for teachers using a CS curriculum marked as “comprehensive” in the Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science Curriculum Guide.

Eligible Ozobot product

• Evo
• Ari
• ORA
• STEAM Kits
• Challenge Mats
• Professional Development
• Curriculum

Quick facts: 

• Application deadline is 3/21/25
• Apply here 

The post Ozobot Grant Report: March 2025 Edition appeared first on Ozobot.

Infrared Secrets 

(Part 1 of 2)

The bots are buzzing with secrets! In this STEM lesson, students will use Ozobot Blockly to program multiple Ozobots to pass on messages, with LED lights flashing as they share and deliver secrets throughout the day. It’s a fun way to practice coding and teamwork!

Academic Standards: CSTA, ISTE

Grade Levels: 6-8

Subjects: Computer Science, Engineering/Tech

Download Lesson

Infrared Secrets 

(Part 2 of 2)

Students program Ozobots using Blockly to pass secrets, with each bot changing a message along the way. They’ll explore how easily communication can get mixed up and lead to misunderstandings, all while practicing coding skills!

Academic Standards: CSTA, ISTE

Grade Levels: 6-8

Subjects: Computer Science, Engineering/Tech

Download Lesson

Girls Innovating Change

In celebration of International Women’s Day, students will learn about young innovator Gitanjali Rao and her incredible achievements. Students will then use Evo and Ozobot Blockly to come up with their own innovative ideas, showing that you’re never too young to make a difference!

Academic Standards: NGSS, CSTA, ISTE

Grade Levels: 2-6

Subjects: Computer Science, Engineering/Tech

Download Lesson

Link: https://classroom.ozobot.com/lessons/lnRS2byEuZS9WlHXM9ankItgOi 

Follow the Rainbow

In this St. Patrick’s Day STEAM lesson, students will use Ozobot Blockly to program Evo to follow the rainbow and find the pot of gold! They’ll need to ensure Ozobot stays on the path, moves forward, and rotates to get to the prize.

Academic Standards: CSTA, ISTE

Grade Levels: K-2

Subjects: Engineering/Tech, SEL/Digital Citizenship

Download Lesson

Who Can Find the Pot of Gold?

Can your students break the code to find the pot of gold? In this St. Patrick’s Day STEAM lesson, they’ll use Ozobot Blockly and Ozobot’s line-following sensors to navigate the path and uncover the treasure!

Academic Standards: CSTA, ISTE

Grade Levels: 3-5

Subjects: Computer Science, Engineering/Tech

Download Lesson

The Spring Migration

Every spring, billions of birds migrate to North America in search of food and nesting spots. In this STEAM lesson, students will work with a partner to guide their Ozobots north, mimicking real-life migration using speed and special move color codes!

Academic Standards: NGSS, CSTA, ISTE

Grade Levels: K-2

Subjects: Science, Computer Science, Engineering/Tech

Download Lesson

Soccer Challenge Mat Lesson 2: Passing with Purpose

Dive into the art of passing with Ozobot! In this STEAM activity, students will use Ozobot Blockly to code Ozobot to simulate accurate soccer passes while developing strategic thinking and teamwork skills.

Academic Standards: NGSS, CSTA

Grade Levels: 4-8

Subjects: Science, Computer Science, Engineering/Tech

Download Lesson

Mars Challenge Mat Lesson 2: The Missing Crate

Journey to the depths of Mars with Ozobot! In this advanced activity, students will pair an Evo with the Mission to Mars Challenge Mat to navigate challenges and solve problems, just like real explorers surviving on the Red Planet.

Academic Standards: NGSS, CSTA

Grade Levels: 4-8

Subjects: Science, Computer Science, Engineering/Tech

Download Lesson

The post March Lesson Spotlight appeared first on Ozobot.

Meteorologist
First graders at Tyler Elementary are stepping into the shoes of meteorologists, using Color Codes to explore tornado patterns and take their weather projects to the next level!

Virginia Adventure
This first-grade class created a map of Virginia’s landscapes, foods, and features, guiding Ozobot on an adventure past mountains, farmlands, and forests!

Fractions
Miss Camp’s third-grade math students elevated fraction solving by guiding Ozobot through each step of their equations.

Ozobot Block Party
Students at McKibben Lane Elementary School participated in an Ozobot party that merged coding with fun, celebrating their academic achievements.

STEAM Principles
At Lakes Elementary, kindergarteners immersed themselves in STEAM by exploring coding principles with Ozobot, while first graders honed their literacy skills through spelling, independent reading, and informational writing.

Ozobot Coding City
Picture this: 880 students collaborating to build an Ozobot Coding City! Mrs. Jenn showcased the impressive coding city created by students at Wilchester Elementary.

Moon Landing!
Students at Viridian Elementary celebrated Black History Month with a lesson honoring Katherine Johnson, one of NASA’s first Black female mathematicians. Her calculations were instrumental in landing astronauts on the moon!

WWE Soundtrack
Ms. Van Eck’s fifth-grade students programmed Ozobot with Ozobot Blockly to play John Cena’s iconic entrance song, blending coding with a creative twist.

Thank you to all our educators who shared their students’ creations. We love seeing your ideas and creativity come to life. Keep the STEAM activities and ideas coming, and don’t forget to tag @Ozobot or use #Ozobot in your posts for a chance to be featured in our next roundup of favorite #OzoThings.

The post February OzoThings appeared first on Ozobot.

Join us at a March event near you and experience hands-on demonstrations of Ozobot’s STEAM coding robots. Discover how they can enhance student engagement, creativity, and learning outcomes. Connect with fellow educators and district leaders to explore classroom solutions, curriculum integration, and funding opportunities designed for K-12 education and beyond. Check out the details below, and contact sales@ozobot.com with any questions or to connect with your rep!.

March 3, 2025 – ECC in Sacramento, CA

Join us at booth #317 at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in Sacramento, CA. Registration information available here.

March 5-7, 2025 – NCTIES in Raleigh, NC

Join us at booth #916 at the Raleigh Convention Center in Raleigh, NC. Registration information available here.

March 9-11, 2025 – WEMTA in Brookfield, WI

Join us at booth #406 at the Brookfield Conference Center in Brookfield, Wisconsin. Registration information available here.

March 10-13 – CCSA in Sacramento, CA

Join us at booth #103 at the Safe Credit Union Convention Center, in Sacramento, CA. Registration information available here.

March 12, 2025 – GRAETC in Richmond, VA

Join us in the Burnett Hall at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel in Richmond, VA. Registration information available here.

March 19-21, 2025 – MACUL in Detroit, MI

Join us at booth #815 at the Huntington Place in Detroit, MI. Registration information available here.

March 20-22, 2025 – Spring CUE in Palm Springs, CA

Join us at booth #416 at the Palm Springs Convention Center in Palm Springs, CA. Registration information available here.

March 21-23, 2025 – Common Ground in Ocean City, MD

Join us at booth #7 at the Ocean City Convention Center in Ocean City, MD. Registration information available here.

March 26-29, 2025 – NSTA in Philadelphia, PA

Join us at booth #817 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA. Registration information available here.

The post March 2025 Events appeared first on Ozobot.

What Makes This Type of Coding Unique?

Easy to use and manipulate, Color Code Magnets are ideal for PK-1 students who are just starting to explore the world of coding. We understand that young learners are still developing their fine motor skills, which can make using markers to draw precise tracks and Color Codes a challenge. 

With Ozobot Color Code Magnets, the magnet pieces lock into place, enabling students to create and modify their codes effortlessly. If they want to test a new idea or adjust their sequence, they can simply swap or reposition the magnets without having to start over, making the learning experience feel more effortless and achievable. As they experiment with arranging and adjusting the magnets, they continue to refine their fine motor skills in a fun, low-pressure way.

Building Foundational Skills

Color Code Magnets give students the tools to learn the basics of sequencing, pattern recognition, and logical reasoning. By arranging the magnets in different sequences, they create coded tracks that instruct Ozobot how to move, change speed, or perform actions. This simple yet powerful approach allows students to experiment with cause and effect, reinforcing key concepts that will serve as building blocks for more advanced coding in the future.

With this seamless process, students are more confident not only when experimenting with different code sequences, but also when encountering roadblocks. This flexibility encourages them to debug their work, test new ideas, and iterate on their designs without the fear of making permanent mistakes. As a result, they develop resilience and a growth mindset—essential traits for any coder!

Learning with Ozobot Color Code Magnets

The Color Code Magnets – Base Kit includes the magnetic board, a wet erase marker, and 36 magnetic track and color code pieces that pair with Evo. The Color Code Magnets –  Special Moves Kit and Speed Kit are designed to be used as add-ons to the Base Kit with 18 magnetic color code pieces in each set.

To support educators and students, Ozobot Classroom offers a lesson series designed specifically for use with Color Code Magnets. This series includes 10 Base Kit lessons, 7 Special Moves lessons, and 6 Speed lessons, providing structured activities to introduce and build upon coding concepts.

A few of our favorite compatible lessons are:

Try the Kangaroo Loops lesson to strengthen problem-solving skills while reinforcing sequencing, logical thinking, and adaptability in coding. Students are challenged to think critically as they navigate a maze using Line Switch and U-Turn Color Codes. Just like a kangaroo hopping from path to path, Ozobot must switch lines strategically to reach the Win/Exit point.

Combine coding and literacy skills with the lesson Telling a Story. Using Color Code Magnets, students develop their own unique stories by creating a basic storytelling structure and bringing it to life by coding Ozobot to navigate through their narrative. This hands-on experience reinforces the connection between storytelling and programming while fostering creativity and logical thinking.

Unleash your students’ creativity by building a Winter Wonderland out of paper and cardboard. Students have the freedom to design and construct their very own town, tapping into their engineering skills. Once their Winter Wonderland is complete, students will program a track using Color Code Magnets for Ozobot to tour through their creation.

With Ozobot Color Code Magnets, young learners can dive into the world of coding in a way that is intuitive, hands-on, and engaging. By providing a flexible, screen-free introduction to sequencing and problem-solving, these kits empower students to think critically and experiment fearlessly, all while building foundational STEM skills. Whether they’re navigating a maze, crafting a story, or designing a winter wonderland, every activity is an opportunity to spark creativity and confidence.

The post Learning to Code with Ozobot Color Code Magnets appeared first on Ozobot.