The updates coincide with the annual National Robotics Week, a time when kids, parents and teachers across the nation tap into the excitement of robotics for STEM learning. Supporting Social and Emotional Learning The events of the past year changed the traditional learning environment with students, families and educators adapting to hybrid and remote classrooms. Conversations on the critical importance of diversity, equity and inclusion have also taken on increased importance in the classroom. To address this, iRobot Education has introduced social and emotional learning (SEL) lessons to its Learning Library that tie SEL competencies, like peer interaction and responsible decision-making, into coding and STEM curriculum. These SEL learning lessons, such as The Kind Playground, Seeing the Whole Picture and Navigating Conversations, provide educators with new resources that help students build emotional intelligence and become responsible global citizens, through a STEM lens. Language translations for iRobot Coding App More students can now enjoy the free iRobot Coding App with the introduction of Spanish, French, German, Czech and Japanese language support.

The iRobot Root rt0 ($129) is equipped with many of the same features and sensors as the original Root rt1, but it's $70 less expensive. The iRobot Root rt0 is equipped with 20-plus sensors that allow it to drive, draw, detect touch, light up, play music, and more. Like its predecessor, the Root rt0 is a two-wheeled, mobile robot designed for kids. It operates based on the coding commands kids give to it via the companion iRobot Coding App. The rt0 offers three levels of coding language – simple graphical blocks for young children to full-text coding for more advanced users.