Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING:

• Understand that AI and robots help grow, pick, and package food.
• Recognize tasks machines can do (watering, sorting, picking).
• Understand the concept of "smart machines" or "robot helpers."

SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Role-playing and dramatic play skills.
• Simple decision-making (e.g., "If plant is droopy → water it").
• Drawing and storytelling to express creative ideas.

ATTITUDES & VALUES:

• Show curiosity about how food is made.
• Appreciate teamwork and shared responsibility.
• Value technology as a helpful tool when used wisely.

European Dimension / Erasmus+ Connection

• Early STEM: Promotes digital education in line with European priorities.
• Sustainability: Encourages awareness of food security and innovation.
• Key Competences: Supports cultural awareness and digital literacy.

1. Resources and Tools

Required Materials:

• Story: "Farmer Ella and the Robot Helpers" (below).
• Props: Fruit/vegetable images, watering can, baskets.
• Robot/AI name tags.
• Drawing paper, crayons/markers.
• Weather cards (sun, rain, ripe fruit).

2. Working Methods

• Storytelling: To introduce and contextualize the topic.
• Role-play: For experiential learning and social interaction.
• Creative Drawing: For personal expression.
• Circle Time: For sharing and guided discussion.

Activity Overview

3. Introduction and Motivation

Story: Farmer Ella and the Helpful Robots

Once upon a time, there was a clever farmer named Ella. She lived on a big, sunny farm where she grew carrots, apples, and lettuce. But Ella didn’t do it all by herself—she had robot friends and a super smart computer helper!

One robot, named Picksy, had long arms and wheels. Picksy zoomed through the apple orchard. "Beep! Beep! Ripe apple spotted!" With a gentle grip, Picksy picked red apples and placed them into baskets.

Another robot, called Sprinkles, helped water the vegetables. But Sprinkles didn’t just spray water everywhere! A smart computer with AI told Sprinkles: "The lettuce is thirsty today, but the carrots are just fine!" So Sprinkles only watered what needed it.

Inside the barn was the brain of it all: a smart AI computer named Brainy. Brainy didn’t have arms or legs, but she was super helpful! She checked the weather and told Farmer Ella: "Tomorrow will be sunny—great for planting potatoes!"

At bedtime, Farmer Ella smiled. "Thank you, robots," she said. "Together, we grow good food for everyone!"

4. Research and Learning

Role-Play: Farmer Ella's Smart Farm

Set the Scene: transform the classroom into the farm.

• Plants: Some students pretend to be lettuce or strawberries.
• Robots: "Picksy" (picker) and "Sprinkles" (waterer).
• AI ("Brainy"): One student (or teacher) gives commands based on clues.

Example Commands:

• "Only water the plants that are droopy."
• "Pick the strawberries that are red."
• "Don't water today, it's raining!"

5. Creative Application

Design Your Own Food Robot

Each child creates their own food robot helper on paper.

Prompts:

• What is your robot's name?
• What job does it do?
• Sentence starter: "My robot helps by..."

6. Reflection and Evaluation

Class Reflection Circle

• What was it like to be the AI or robot?
• What job would YOU give a food robot?

Coloring Activity

Download the coloring sheet below to meet Brainy the AI!