The successful integration of educational robotics into European secondary schools depends less on technical specifications than on the precise alignment of pedagogy and institutions. However, current technological tools often fail to reflect classroom realities due to cost constraints and limited adoption beyond a small group of technology-oriented teachers. Although the potential of robotics for inquiry-based learning is recognized in existing literature, implementation is often hindered by financial barriers and a lack of synchronization between hardware development and curriculum constraints. This study addresses these limitations by examining a methodological approach developed within the Erasmus+ STEPS project, a multi-partner European cooperation initiative aimed at bridging the gap between low-cost design and scalable pedagogical practices. Adopting a design-based research perspective within a project-based context, this study analyzes how institutional constraints, such as budget limitations and the need for interdisciplinary instruction, were translated into the design of a modular, open-source robotics system. The coordination processes that supported the alignment of technological development with a structured train-the-trainers methodology designed to support non-specialist teachers are examined in particular detail. The analysis is informed by existing literature and supported by empirical insights from secondary school teachers regarding the usability and integration of robotics in the classroom. The findings suggest that linking needs analysis to affordable system development through coordinated design processes enhances the pedagogical relevance of technological solutions. The paper outlines an approach that could facilitate the more sustainable integration and broader adoption of educational robotics in classrooms.

Authors:
Kimberley Burcke, Institut Polytechnique UniLaSalle, France

About the Presenter(s)
Kimberley Burcke is currently an International Project Manager at UniLaSalle, France. Her work focuses on international cooperation and educational innovation.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberley-burcke-299b85142/

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