Art, Robotics and Education: Create a Paper Costume for the Thymio Educational Robot

A project that breaks the boundaries, blending technology and aesthetics to offer a new approach to learning programming.

This project is called "Beauty and the Machine: joining Aesthetics and Robotics in Education". It investigates the intersection of aesthetics and robotics applied to education. Historically, the rigid, mechanical nature of robotics has contrasted sharply with the fluid creativity of the arts. However, advancements in technology and platforms like Arduino have made robotics more accessible and adaptable for artistic purposes. The project examines this evolution, from the stereotype of cold, rigid robotics to more poetic expressions, and the impact when bringing into classes. It also explores the shift in educational approaches from STEM to STEAM, where art is integrated to foster creativity and engagement. The core aim is to understand how an aesthetic approach to robotics can influence educational outcomes, particularly in enhancing motivation and self-efficacy, thereby achieving broader pedagogical objectives and cultivating transversal skills.

This project presents a series of paper costumes that organically play on the movements of the educational Thymio robot. The costumes shown in the videos are made using a laser-cutting machine. In order to be reproduced easily, simplified versions that can be built by hand are available. Some video and printed tutorials are currently in development for each costume, one of them is presented below.

You can find more information on the project Beauty and the Machine on this page.

1x Thymio robot

1x Paper: A3, 300g/m2

1x Scissors

1x Cutter

1x Ruler (50cm)

1x Tape

Follow the steps illustrated above, or have a look at our video tutorial.

Take your Thymio robot, and follow the steps illustrated above, or have a look at our video tutorial.

Do you need inspiration to customize your costume or your robot dance? Have a look at the suggestions above, or watch our video here!

This programming activity is a suggestion on how to use the paper costume and animate it.

You can imagine other programming activities, such as:

1. clapping in your hands to animate the costume in rhythm,
2. use a black and white floor to move back and forth or left or right (see the challenges activity attached).