NAO dance 2016!

Coding, programming, 3D printing and robot dancing - the Rapid stand at Bett 2016 was a hive of activity once again. We did brisk business throughout the four days of the UK's biggest educational technology show, showcasing the very best in new STEM resources at our stand. We also shared our space with the people behind some of our new products, such as the MeArm robotics kit and the CodeBug mini wearable computer.

A popular feature was the VEX IQ coloured ball sorter, which collects balls of different colours and deposits them in different tubes depending on their colour. Built and programmed by our Education manager Chris Calver, the ball sorter is a project in the 'Smarter Machines Unit Challenge' section of the VEX IQ curriculum.

Stealing the show, however, was the NAO robot, whose dancing and football moves caught the attention of everyone, including the organisers. Behind the cute and playful exterior, there is a serious side to NAO. It is an educational tool which can help children learn programming, and be used in SEN teaching.   

The @RapidNAOrobot doing the Gangnam Style at the @Rapid_Edu stand💃🏼#Bett2016 pic.twitter.com/7PXsfZP0CW

— Bett (@Bett_show) January 23, 2016

Amazed by this little fella from @Rapid_Edu - playing football! #bett2016 pic.twitter.com/Gpq7D9ITtf

— Rant and Stave (@RantandStave) January 21, 2016

Here are some other highlights from our time at the exhibition, captured on social media.

@Rapid_Edu Your robots look terrified of William, our Conquering Maths Bear! Hope they're ok now... #bett2016 pic.twitter.com/WzwauG5I1y

— ConquerMaths (@ConquerMaths) January 22, 2016

Home for @MeArmTM for today! Stand B420 at #Bett2016 with @Rapid_Edu pic.twitter.com/VVygjbheqf

— Benjamin Gray (@benbobgray) January 20, 2016

All set for day one of @Bett_show - Stand B420 for #robotics #coding #stem #teched #Bett2016 pic.twitter.com/KfrLaEUfUp

— Paul McKnight (@Chewmacca1) January 20, 2016

The #vexiq Armbot and Ball Sorter is working hard at #bett2016. Come visit us at stand B420 to see it in action! pic.twitter.com/axmNRWK3cz

— VEX Robotics (@VEXRobotics) January 20, 2016

Adventures of the two Tom's and the #codebug twins. #bett2016 pic.twitter.com/7nmC1dLCHR

— Thomas Preston (@tommarkpreston) January 21, 2016

You just can't keep a good robot out of the limelight.

Rapid Education robots making friends over by entrance N9 - go see for yourself! They even dance to Gangnam Style (video on Twitter: @bett_show) #Bett2016
Posted by Bett Show on Saturday, January 23, 2016