Robotics in Education: A Comparative analysis of robotic platforms across educational levels

Robotics, with its hands-on and multidisciplinary nature, has emerged as a compelling educational tool, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in learners. This paper conducts an in-depth examination of various robotic platforms tailored for different educational levels: elementary school, high school, and university. The unique learning objectives and challenges inherent to each educational stage are firstly outlined. Then, a comparative analysis of robotic platforms in terms of their design, features, ease-of-use, scalability, and alignment with curriculum standards are provided. For elementary learners, the emphasis is on platforms that introduce basic programming concepts and motor skills. High school platforms transition to more complex algorithms, real-world problem-solving, and interdisciplinary applications. University-level platforms are gauged on their ability to support advanced robotics research, intricate design, and integration with other emerging technologies. The comprehensive review aims to provide educators, researchers, and policymakers with insights into selecting appropriate robotic tools for each educational stage, optimizing the learning experience and better preparing students for a technologically advanced future.