 How can we make computer science (CS) accessible to every student? Sometimes, the answer isn’t in the latest high-tech gadget — it’s in your recycling bin.
At SIPECO 2025 (the Ibero-American Seminar on Computational Thinking), we explored this very idea through an interactive workshop titled “CS-Powered Cardboard Creations.” Together with educators, researchers, and students from across Latin America, we reimagined how to bring computational thinking to life using simple materials, creativity, and collaboration. Read all about the experience on MakeDo's Blog. Bonus content:
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 What happens when you mix cardboard, stop-motion animation, and robotics? You get pure creative magic—and some seriously cool projects! Our latest stop in the Where in the World series takes us to Charlottesville, Virginia, where Tech-Girls, Light House Studio, Roversa Robotics, and Makedo teamed up for a special Earth Day-inspired workshop: Robots Save the World. Who was there?
What was the challenge?This workshop encouraged participants to create with purpose. By upcycling cardboard, they saw the creative potential in materials that might otherwise end up in the trash. With Makedo tools and connectors, they built imaginative environments, props, and robot accessories—while also thinking about sustainability and reuse. The theme--Robots Save the World—was the spark for imaginative narratives and real-world problem solving. One group might animate their robot planting trees, another could build a cardboard ocean cleanup scene. Every story was an opportunity to show how tech and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand.  Why does it matter? One of the best parts of collaborating with Light House Studio is how they help us connect storytelling with computer science. Many participants come in excited to make something creative, but may not yet feel confident coding or building robots. Framing the experience around telling a story makes it more inviting and meaningful. Suddenly, the challenge becomes, “How do I get my robot to bring this idea to life?” And that’s where the real learning begins.
As the founder of Tech-Girls and co-founder of Roversa Robotics, I was thrilled to bring these two communities together for the first time. Pairing Roversa’s versatile robotics platform with Makedo’s cardboard construction tools created the perfect playground for invention. Want to see the magic in action? 🎬 Watch the Robots Save the World projects 🎥 And check out behind-the-scenes fun from a past Tech-Girls & Light House Studio Palentine’s Day workshop  This past week, our classroom came alive with the energy of exploration, problem-solving, and plenty of celebrations as we kicked off our computer science curriculum in CTE using Roversa robots. One of the best parts about using the Roversa robots was how easy they were to implement into a lesson. Students didn’t need a long introduction to coding—instead, they learned how to program as they went. The robots offered an accessible entry point into computer science, making it simple for students to engage right away. Students were introduced to the concept of pseudocode as they worked to move their robots to different spots around the room. Along the way, they experienced moments of both success and failure—valuable opportunities to practice persistence and refine their strategies. Through this activity, students learned important computer science fundamentals such as sequencing, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Each group was challenged to code their robots toward specific classroom targets, ultimately racing toward the finish line.  What stood out most was the level of engagement and collaboration. The classroom was filled with excitement—cheers and celebrations erupted as teams successfully guided their robots to their goals. This hands-on experience not only introduced students to coding but also highlighted the importance of teamwork and resilience. The Roversa robots proved to be a fantastic, easy-to-use tool to launch our journey into computer science this year.
We cannot wait to see what else we can do with these amazing robots! Guest blog post from Joe Beasley, CTE Teacher, Goochland Middle School  One of the most rewarding parts of our work at Roversa Robotics is partnering with teachers to co-design learning experiences that bring computer science (CS) to life in creative and meaningful ways. Whether it's a farm full of waddling ducks or a deep-sea mission to the ocean floor, we’ve seen how world-building through robotics can open up new dimensions of learning. Why Robotics? Why World-building? There’s a growing body of research showing that robots are more than just cool gadgets in the classroom—they’re powerful tools for learning:
Here is what we’ve discovered through working directly with teachers and their students: world-building might be the secret ingredient that makes everything click. When students create and explore imagined worlds with Roversa, they:
In short, world-building turns robotics into a launchpad for learning across every dimension.  Duck Duck Robot: Math Meets Storytime One of our favorite examples of this creative integration is Duck Duck Robot. It all started with a read-aloud favorite in a K–1 classroom: Quack and Count by Keith Baker. A teacher reached out to explore how she could extend the story’s math concepts with a robotics twist. Together, we developed a story-based activity kit that uses Roversa to explore addition, grouping, and sequencing—all while helping a duck waddle its way through the world students helped create. The result? A joyful, standards-aligned activity that connects math, literacy, and CS through play and storytelling. Underwater Mission: Dive Into Integrated Science + CS Another inspiring collaboration emerged in a 4th grade classroom studying the ocean floor. The original lesson had students code a model of the terrain. The teacher saw an opportunity to make it more engaging—and that’s when Underwater Mission was born. With Roversa, students didn’t just code about the ocean—they built an ocean world. They navigated underwater missions, identified topographic features, and explored environmental science, all while applying CS concepts like sequences and loops in a physical space. The World is Their Workshop At Roversa, we believe the best learning happens when students are creators, not just consumers. Through our co-designed activity kits and teacher partnerships, we’re seeing how world-building can:
Student-Created Resources Coming Soon What makes these learning experiences even more special is that they were brought to life—literally—by a student creator. One of our talented student interns, Sona Tomy, took the world-building concept and ran with it, designing custom mats, costumes, and character cards to enhance classroom storytelling and exploration. In her own words, “I was deeply inspired by Roversa’s mission to reach students in every classroom, regardless of their prior experience with or access to STEM. When I saw that teachers were open to integrating Roversa into their classroom lessons, world-building felt like something worth exploring. The ball started rolling when a 4th grade science teacher asked us to design an underwater exploration mat to supplement his lesson. While drawing that mat, I thought, ‘Well what if we gave his students characters and robot costumes to explore the ocean with?’—and that’s where it all began! As I created more materials for a variety of lessons, I started to see the greater scope of what I was doing. I started to realize the potential of integrating CS education into any subject and any age group. CS doesn’t have to be secluded into computer labs or stand-alone classes. The concepts can be learned alongside math, science, reading, and even art. Seeing my original mats being used by students in an elementary classroom was a profound experience for me. The creative world that Roversa opens up, combined with fundamental CS concepts, may be just the spark that inspires them to become the leading thinkers, dreamers, and creators of tomorrow."  These beautifully crafted resources—and the accompanying activity kits—will soon be available for purchase, making it even easier for teachers and families to dive into immersive robotics adventures.
Want to be the first to know when they’re ready? Complete this short form and we’ll send you an update!  Roversa took on SXSW with Kim this spring, joining the global conversation about the future of learning and innovation. We connected with parents, educators, and technologists about the future of STEM education and discovered they want more hands-on, more creativity, and less screen time. That’s exactly where we shine. Whether it's storytelling, world-building, or transforming cardboard into a robotic creature, Roversa helps kids create with technology—not just consume it  Key Takeaways from SXSWThe Power of Open SourceOpen source is more than just a tech trend—it's a movement that unlocks possibility. It gives educators the freedom to adapt and build on tools like Roversa to meet their students' unique needs. By keeping our platform open and accessible, we’re helping schools break down barriers, foster collaboration, and fuel innovation from the ground up. The Interdisciplinary Future is HereForget silos—the future of education is connected. At SXSW, we saw a growing demand for learning experiences that blend science, storytelling, social-emotional learning, and design. Roversa is built for that kind of flexibility. It’s not just a robot—it’s a launchpad for cross-curricular creativity and critical thinking.  Rewriting the Entrepreneurship PlaybookThe next wave of entrepreneurs isn’t just building startups—they’re building systems of change. At SXSW, we saw a movement toward mission-driven, inclusive innovation. Roversa reflects this mindset: we’re not just selling a product; we’re co-creating a future where every student can see themselves as a maker, an inventor, and a storyteller.
SXSW reminded us that the future of learning is open, integrated, and hands-on—and Roversa is ready to help lead the way.  At Roversa Robotics, Charlottesville isn’t just where we started—it’s where we thrive. From collaborating with UVA faculty and students to pitching at the Tom Tom Festival, we've been embraced by a vibrant, values-driven startup community that is as innovative as it is supportive. Our journey so far has included some incredible opportunities right here in town—like participating in the UVA Licensing & Ventures (LVG) I-Corps program, presenting our story at Charlottesville Business Innovation Council (CBIC), and being selected for the 434 Accelerator, which supports early-stage, tech-driven companies based in and around Charlottesville. This place is more than a launchpad. Charlottesville is our long-term home. We’re proud to grow Roversa’s global headquarters right here in Central Virginia. The region’s unique blend of educational talent, innovation infrastructure, and collaborative spirit makes it an ideal hub for building an edtech company that’s committed to equity and impact. Powered by Educators, Inspired by Community Roversa Robotics was founded by two educator-entrepreneurs who’ve been part of Charlottesville’s education ecosystem for years:
 Building the Local Tech Talent Pipeline Our growth is fueled by the incredible student talent right here in Virginia. With support from a Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC) CCF grant and matching funds from UVA LVG, we’ve built a strong internship program that brings students directly into the world of educational robotics. So far, we’ve welcomed eleven UVA interns and two from Virginia Tech, giving them hands-on experience in product development, marketing, and classroom integration.
We partnered with student teams through UVA’s First-Year Engineering Program and the Youth and Social Innovation Capstone, helping students tackle real-world problems through human-centered design. These collaborations are shaping the next generation of creative, community-minded innovators. As we prepare to bring Roversa to even more classrooms around the world, our roots in Charlottesville continue to guide us. We’re building something that’s not only globally scalable, but deeply local—grounded in the belief that education, innovation, and equity go hand in hand. Whether you’re a parent, educator, student, or fellow entrepreneur, we invite you to join us on this journey. Charlottesville made us who we are—and we’re just getting started. Learn more and be part of the launch! |
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Research and development has been generously funded in part by an ITEST grant from the National Science Foundation, a Commonwealth Commercialization Fund grant from the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation with matching funds from the Licensing & Ventures Group at UVA and Global Programs of Distinction grants from UVA.
