Evaluation of a K-8 LEGO robotics program

In this paper we describe the evaluation results from an annual LEGO robotics competition for students in elementary and middle schools held at Lubbock, Texas, that aims at increasing interest in science, technology, engineering, and math. In a before-after questionnaire we collected information on participants' attitudes toward the scientific method of investigation, robotics in general and LEGO robotics in particular, and problem solving in groups. We also collected demographic data of the participants to see in how far our program is able to attract females, minorities, and socio-economically disadvantaged students.