{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,11]],"date-time":"2026-05-11T16:16:47Z","timestamp":1778516207517,"version":"3.51.4"},"reference-count":31,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"6","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2023,12,1]],"date-time":"2023-12-01T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1701388800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100001871","name":"Funda\u00e7\u00e3o para a Ci\u00eancia e Tecnologia (FCT)","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["UIDB\/00151\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDB\/00151\/2020"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100001871","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Technologies"],"abstract":"<jats:p>This study presents an innovative pedagogical approach aimed at enhancing the teaching of robotics within the broader context of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education across diverse academic levels. The integration of mobile robotics kits into a dynamic STEM-focused curriculum offers students an immersive and hands-on learning experience, fostering programming skills, advanced problem-solving, critical thinking, and spatial awareness. The motivation behind this research lies in improving the effectiveness of robotics education by addressing existing gaps in current strategies. It aims to better prepare students for this rapidly evolving field\u2019s dynamic challenges and opportunities. To achieve this, detailed protocols were formulated that not only facilitate student learning but also cater to teacher training and involvement. These protocols encompass code documentation and examples, providing tangible representations of the practical outcomes of the course. In addition to the presented curriculum, this paper introduces the developed methodology that strategically leverages 3D-printing technology. The primary focus of this approach is to create captivating add-ons and establish a versatile workspace, actively promoting heightened engagement and facilitating the acquisition of knowledge among students. The research involves the development of tailored laboratory protocols suited to various academic levels, employing a systematic methodology aimed at deepening students\u2019 comprehension of STEM concepts. Furthermore, an adaptable infrastructure for laboratory protocols and in-class testing was developed. The efficacy of this teaching\/learning methodology is evaluated through student surveys, ensuring its continuous improvement. These protocols are to be integrated into both the robotics courses and teacher-training initiatives. This study aims to contribute to the field by using a dynamic STEM-driven approach based on mobile robotics. It outlines a strategic vision for better-preparing students and educators in the ever-evolving landscape of robotics education demanded by Industry 4.0 technologies.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/technologies11060170","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2023,12,1]],"date-time":"2023-12-01T10:39:48Z","timestamp":1701427188000},"page":"170","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":10,"title":["A Dynamic STEM-Driven Approach through Mobile Robotics to Enhance Critical Thinking and Interdisciplinary Skills for Empowering Industry 4.0 Competencies"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"11","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0002-6599-6905","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Rodrigo","family":"Antunes","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Electromechanical Engineering, University of Beira Interior, Rua Marqu\u00eas d\u2019\u00c1vila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilh\u00e3, Portugal"},{"name":"C-MAST\u2014Centre for Mechanical and Aerospace Science and Technologies, 6201-001 Covilh\u00e3, Portugal"}]},{"given":"Martim Lima","family":"Aguiar","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Electromechanical Engineering, University of Beira Interior, Rua Marqu\u00eas d\u2019\u00c1vila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilh\u00e3, Portugal"},{"name":"C-MAST\u2014Centre for Mechanical and Aerospace Science and Technologies, 6201-001 Covilh\u00e3, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-1691-1709","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Pedro Dinis","family":"Gaspar","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Electromechanical Engineering, University of Beira Interior, Rua Marqu\u00eas d\u2019\u00c1vila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilh\u00e3, Portugal"},{"name":"C-MAST\u2014Centre for Mechanical and Aerospace Science and Technologies, 6201-001 Covilh\u00e3, Portugal"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2023,12,1]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"100388","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijcci.2021.100388","article-title":"Exploring the development of mental rotation and computational skills in elementary students through educational robotics","volume":"32","author":"Diago","year":"2022","journal-title":"Int. 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