Here is a list of middle school robotics movies that your students will love… and you will too!
Everyone looks forward to a good movie day, but they are even better when the film captivates your students and ties into course content! Read on to learn about top robot movies that are an awesome addition to any middle school STEM or robotics class.
1. Spare Parts (2015)
This awesome film is based on the true story of an unlikely high school robotics team that competes and wins big at MIT’s annual underwater robotics competition. Your students will love rooting for the underdogs and thinking about the importance of teamwork and perseverance.
Note: This film is rated PG-13 and includes some strong language and violence. Be sure to research or preview the film to ensure it is a good fit for you and your students.
2. NOVA Rise of the Robots (2016)
In this engaging documentary, students learn about robots in the real world and their impacts on society. They will follow contestants in the US Department of Defense’s DARPA Challenge as they build rescue robots and experience highs and lows throughout the competition.
Note: This film contains brief mentions of adult topics during which you may want to fast forward. Be sure to research or preview the film to ensure it is a good fit for you and your students.
3. NOVA Wonders: Can We Build a Brain? (2018)
This class period length feature will teach students about artificial intelligence. They will explore current applications and limitations of the technology and its impacts on society. Your students will be amazed by the many things computers can do and their deepened understanding of the AI technology they likely use every day.
4. More Than Robots (2022)
This documentary follows a set of diverse high school students participating in a FIRST robotics competition. Your students will learn about FIRST and what makes it “more than robots.” As they becoming emotionally invested in the trials of the contestants, your students will also be inspired to pursue their own STEM dreams!
Grab them all and save!
Save 20% when you purchase all 4 robot-themed STEM movie guides here! All STEM in the Middle movie guides include before, during, and after questions to keep your students engaged and learning throughout the entire “movie day.” This means you are free to catch up on grades, hold conferences, hang out with your students, or take a much-needed sick day!
2 Responses
Thank you for creating this list! I used the Spare Parts film for my lego robotics course with 7th and 8th graders. Could you please update your description to include that there is a short scene with strong language that teachers may need to skip over (slang for a woman’s body part). It is rated pg-13, so some schools may require parent consent to watch. Great film! Students loved it.
Thanks for your comment! I will add a note about the strong language. Glad to hear your students enjoyed it!