Robotics Kits for Elementary and High School Students Built with 3D-Printed Parts

Abstract

The integration of 3D printing and educational robotics has been identified as a strategy to enhance active learning in STEM (Science Technology Enginneering and Mathematics); however, it still faces challenges related to cost, infrastructure, and teacher training. This study aimed to propose and describe a development process for robotics kits built with 3D‑printed parts, targeting future use with middle and high school students. The research was conducted within a PIBITI project (August 2023 to July 2025) and was organized into two stages: (i) a literature review and technical requirements analysis for 3D printing and kit assembly; and (ii) construction, programming, and the development of activity guides for pedagogical use. In the exploratory stage, efforts focused on mapping the state of the art, studying modeling and slicing software, and analyzing printing materials. In the applied stage, functional prototypes were produced by integrating PLA parts, electronic components, and microcontroller-based automation, along with initial assembly documentation. In addition, printing parameters and minimum quality-control criteria were defined (e.g., dimensional tolerances and an M3 thread test in PLA), as well as cost estimates for the main components. As a contribution, the study outlines a replicable framework for manufacturing low-cost 3D‑printed robotics kits, highlighting critical aspects such as dimensional quality, material selection, and teacher support. As a limitation, deployment in a partner school was not carried out within the project period due to disruptions in the 3D‑printing infrastructure, remaining as a task for future work.