Join a day for educators and families of Pre-K children to learn programming using Primo, an open-source robotics platform designed to teach very young children the basic principles of programming using objects and a physical interface – eliminating the need for a display, or even the ability to read.

Baltimore-based FutureMakers and London-based Primo.io will lead a day of lesson development and programming skills workshops for educators, and hands-on activities for families with children ages 4 - 7. Workshops take place at the Baltimore City Robotics Center, Baltimore's gym for children, families and schools who love robotics.

Primo is designed for children with emerging or limited literacy skills, and lays the logical foundation necessary for early programming. Children use three wooden elements - an interface board, a rolling robot and a set of brightly colored instruction blocks that represent the code. Combining the blocks with the board allows the user to control the robot, thus creating very simple algorithms - using only shapes and colors.

Workshops

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM - Educator Session Designed for early childhood professionals, librarians and special educators, work alongside Primo founders to play, plan and put your own lesson concepts into practice with a live audience. Registration required.

1:00 PM to 3:00 PM - Family Session For caregivers with children ages 4 - 7. Sample activities created by local education and child development professionals. Enjoy hands-on time with Primo, and learn how you can jump start your child's early programming experiences. Registration required.

3:00 - 5:00 PM - Open Play with Primo Meet Primo founders, learn more about early childhood programming experiences, and explore the tech behind the learning. Open to the public.