Development of an IoT-Integrated Educational Robotics Mobile Application for Inclusive STEM Learning

The organization seeks to address the high cost and accessibility barriers associated with robotic kits used for STEM education. Current limitations include dependency on fixed power sources and internet connectivity, which restricts participation for children in low-income regions or with limited technological access. Additionally, there is a need for an intuitive, engaging app that can accommodate children with varying reading skills and device capabilities, promoting inclusive learning experiences that foster creativity, problem-solving, and coding skills.

A nonprofit organization focused on making STEM education accessible and engaging for children worldwide through innovative IoT-based robotic kits and complementary mobile applications.

• Create an energy-efficient, offline-capable mobile application compatible with lower-end devices to maximize accessibility.
• Ensure the app supports Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication for seamless, local control and data exchange with IoT robotic hardware.
• Design an intuitive, visually engaging user interface using universal icons and vibrant graphics to cater to children across different age groups and literacy levels.
• Develop modular hardware integration capabilities allowing children to attach multiple sensors and ports, fostering creative experimentation and hacking.
• Open-source the app to enable community-driven customization, experimentation, and collaborative learning.
• Support a wide range of geographic locations by ensuring the solution is scalable, secure, and easy to deploy globally.

• Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication module for real-time control and data exchange between the app and robotic hardware.
• Support for attaching and configuring multiple sensors and modular ports on the robotic kits.
• Open-source architecture enabling users to modify and extend functionalities.
• Intuitive icon-based user interface with clear visual cues, designed for children with limited reading skills.
• Offline operation mode to control and program robots without internet connectivity.
• Optimizations for low-end devices to ensure broad device compatibility and smooth performance.
• Compatibility with Raspberry Pi and other similar IoT hardware components used in robotic kits.
• Community features to foster sharing of custom configurations and challenges.

• BLE communication APIs for hardware connectivity
• Community hosting platforms for open-source code sharing
• Configuration and data logging systems for user settings and activity tracking
• Optional cloud services for future data analytics (if scalability demands increase)

• System must operate on low-end devices with minimal resource consumption
• App should support offline functionality to ensure accessibility in regions with unreliable internet
• Connectivity robustness with BLE range supporting typical user environments
• Security measures to prevent unauthorized access or tampering with the robotic hardware
• Scalability to accommodate potential growth in user base and hardware diversity

This project aims to significantly improve access to STEM education by reducing hardware costs and enhancing usability for a diverse, global user base. Objectives include enabling children from low-income regions to participate in robotics-based learning, fostering creativity and problem-solving skills, and building a community-driven ecosystem. The initiative expects to increase engagement by approximately 50-70%, expand participation in local and international robotics challenges, and contribute to broader diversity and inclusion goals within STEM fields.