Fostering Algorithmic Thinking and Environmental Awareness via Bee-Bot Activities in Early Childhood Education

Kalliopi Kanaki, Stergios Chatzakis and Michail Kalogiannakis ()
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Kalliopi Kanaki: Department of Preschool Education, University of Crete, 74100 Rethymno, Greece
Stergios Chatzakis: Teacher Education Consultant at Rethimno, 74100 Rethymno, Greece
Michail Kalogiannakis: Department of Special Education, University of Thessaly, 38221 Volos, Greece

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 9, 1-19

Abstract: In order to meet the learning demands and challenges of the 21st century, computational thinking (CT) skills are important to start developing in early childhood education. The best way to cultivate CT skills, such as algorithmic thinking, is by implementing multidisciplinary education, introducing state-of-the-art technological tools, and adopting engaging teaching strategies like robotics. Within this context, we introduce a play-based educational framework that is developmentally appropriate for second graders and aims to exercise pupils’ algorithmic thinking amid the Environmental Studies course. Keeping in mind that the early childhood period is crucial in developing environmentally friendly attitudes, intentions, and behaviours, we designed the proposed educational framework not only to cultivate pupils’ algorithmic thinking but environmental awareness too. The main technology exploited was the Bee-Bot, which stimulates children to learn how to solve problems efficiently and imaginatively through playful programming. This article reports a relevant case study conducted in October 2023 in Crete, Greece, adopting a robust ethical framework and being implemented under the umbrella of the qualitative research methodology. Studying the data obtained shows that the pupils embraced the proposed robotics activities, exercised their algorithmic thinking, and cultivated their environmental awareness in a playful, collaborative, and engaging learning environment.

Keywords: algorithmic thinking; computational thinking; environmental studies; environmental awareness; robotics; Bee-Bot; programming; code; multidisciplinary education; early childhood education (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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