The Integration of Project-Based Learning in Educational Robotics: Exploring Competition Robots Using the EASYbot Platform

Educational robotics (ER) is a powerful instrument for fostering STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) skills in young people. At university level, ER can be effectively utilized in early engineering courses to facilitate the practical application of fundamental concepts, due to its multidisciplinary nature. The integration of ER and Project-Based Learning (PBL) is particularly beneficial as both approaches embrace the “learning by doing” paradigm, which empowers students to play an active role in their own learning process. Competition robotics offers a valuable learning environment where participants can observe other robot’s solutions for the same task, exchange experiences, and share knowledge. Sometimes, the use of commercial robotic kits is not feasible, and the development of competition robots can indeed be costly. In these cases, ad-hoc implementation is necessary, requiring customized designs for each competition’s requirements. This process demands a higher level of expertise and knowledge in robotics and related fields. This article presents the EASYbot platform, a versatile system designed to simplify the development of diverse types of competition robots. In addition, we also present a practical learning experience using the PBL methodology in which students had to develop competition robots using this platform.