Dash and Dot are a pair of programmable robots designed for children ages 5 and up. Dash is a mobile robot that can move, spin, and dance, while Dot is a smaller, stationary robot that can be programmed to light up, make sounds, and respond to input from sensors.

Dash and Dot are designed to be easy to use and fun to play with, and come with a variety of accessories and add-ons that can be used to customize the robots and expand their capabilities. They can be programmed using a visual programming language called Blockly, which allows children to drag and drop blocks of code to create programs.

Dash and Dot can be used in a variety of educational settings, such as classrooms, afterschool programs, and makerspaces. They can help teach children important skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and computational thinking, while also promoting creativity and imagination.

In a public library setting, Dash and Dot could be used as part of STEM programming or makerspace activities, offering hands-on learning experiences that engage children in robotics and programming. They can also be used to support literacy and storytelling activities, as Dash and Dot can be programmed to act out scenes from books or stories. Overall, Dash and Dot are a great tool for promoting STEM education and engaging children in creative and imaginative play.

 

Getting Started

1. Workshops and Classes: The library can offer workshops or classes on how to use Dash and Dot, which can be open to all ages or targeted to specific age groups, such as elementary school children. These workshops can cover topics such as programming, robotics, and creative problem-solving.
2. Storytelling Activities: The library can use Dash and Dot as part of literacy and storytelling activities, where children can program the robots to act out scenes from books or stories. This can be a fun and engaging way to promote literacy and imagination.
3. Robotics Challenges: Participants can use Dash and Dot to build and program their own robots, and then participate in challenges or competitions that test their robots' abilities. For example, participants could build robots that navigate mazes, follow lines, or perform other tasks.
4. Group Activities: The library can host group activities where children work together to program and control multiple Dash and Dot robots at the same time. This can be a fun and engaging way to teach teamwork and collaboration, as well as programming and robotics skills.
5. Showcases and Exhibitions: Finally, the library can host showcases or exhibitions where participants can display their Dash and Dot robots and talk about the design process and programming behind their projects. This can be a great way to inspire others and generate interest in STEM and robotics.

Overall, Dash and Dot are a great tool for engaging library patrons in hands-on, creative learning experiences that promote STEM skills and encourage curiosity and exploration. The library can work with educators or STEM specialists to develop programming or curriculum around Dash and Dot, and can tailor the activities to meet the needs and interests of the library's patrons.