Baldwin UFSD Among First K-12 Public School Districts in the U.S. to Integrate Misty II Robots into Curriculum

What was once the stuff of science fiction can now be considered non-fiction at Baldwin High School.

Students enrolled in Advanced Placement® (AP) Computer Science Principles are learning to code and program Misty II Robots as part of Baldwin Union Free School District's commitment to preparing students with the skills needed to succeed beyond high school. Baldwin UFSD is among the first K-12 public school districts in the U.S. to integrate Misty II Robots into its curriculum.

Recognizing that robotics and artificial intelligence are shaping the future workforce, the district is providing students in grades 9 through 12 with hands-on opportunities to develop skills in coding, robotics and emerging technologies while exploring real-world applications with both computer software and hardware right from the classroom.

When using the Misty II Robots, which are equipped with a variety of popular programming tools, including Blockly, Python and C#, high school students can configure the robots to interact with their environment.

From greeting visitors by name with facial recognition to reciting a sonnet to dancing across the classroom floor, these learning experiences allow students to work with the same type of software powering robots used in industries ranging from healthcare to manufacturing.

“When students apply the code they develop in AP Computer Science Principles to Misty II robots, they move beyond theory and into authentic problem-solving,” stated Mr. Anthony Mignella, superintendent of schools for Baldwin UFSD. “These experiences help students build transferable skills, such as computational thinking, creativity, collaboration, and adaptability, which will serve them well in college, careers, and a rapidly evolving world.”

The district plans to expand the use of the Misty II Robots across other academic programs, including special education classes and engineering projects, where students will produce 3D-printed, fully functional prosthetic limbs to attach to the robots.

A future filled with robots is imminent. According to the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025, technological advancements are expected to transform at least 22% of jobs globally by 2030. In addition, the International Federation of Robotics reports that the global market value of industrial robot installations has reached an all-time high of $16.7 billion.

The integration of the Misty II Robots is part of the district’s commitment to creating unique and relevant learning experiences for all Baldwin students, especially in industries that will be in high demand. Baldwin UFSD aims to continually develop a curriculum that will support the future workforce based on emerging labor market trends and projections. 

See additional coverage>>