Validating the use of MBlock for robotics learning in vulnerable educational contexts through technological readiness levels

This study addresses the urgent need to strengthen technological skills among students in under-resourced educational settings. It explores the integration of the STEAM methodology with the MBlock tool as a strategy to enhance students’ capacity for knowledge absorption in programming and robotics. The research followed a four-phase process: identification, assimilation, transformation, and exploitation, supported by a mixed-methods approach that included hands-on workshops, perception surveys, and academic performance assessments. Findings revealed a notable improvement in students’ academic outcomes, rising from an average of 6.8 to 9.1, along with high levels of satisfaction and active participation. The discussion highlights how this approach promotes the required 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. The results suggest that combining STEAM with accessible technologies like MBlock is an effective and scalable model for fostering inclusive, innovative education in vulnerable learning environments.