We are honored to share Keri Mustoe’s story from Cortez Middle School in Colorado. We are grateful for educators like Keri who remind us why we do what we do and go above and beyond to empower students and make learning a transformative experience.
Mustoe’s Journey in Robotics Education
Keri Mustoe, a passionate educator teaching grades 6-8, has transformed her classroom into a hub of innovation, where students learn to code robots and develop critical thinking skills that extend far beyond the classroom. Her journey with LocoRobo has enhanced her STEM curriculum while also inspiring her students to pursue careers in STEM fields.
“I became a teacher to show students they are capable of anything. Whether it’s coding or overcoming learning challenges, my goal is to make them believe in themselves,” Keri shares.
“When the college instructor saw what my students were doing, he was amazed. He told me that our students were already working on more complex coding projects than students in his college-level courses. It was a proud moment,”
A Day in the Life of Keri Mustoe
Keri’s teaching philosophy is simple yet powerful: “I became a teacher so I could show students that they are smart enough to do anything.” She teaches various subjects, from introductory computer science for 6th graders to advanced Python-based robotics for 8th graders. Her classes are designed to challenge students while making learning fun and accessible.
“I tell all my classes that we are going to learn to code, and when we begin, it will sound like Greek to you. But in two weeks or less, you will be speaking Greek back to me,” Keri says.
Challenges and Solutions
Like any educator, Keri has faced her share of challenges. Debugging code and troubleshooting robotics issues are common hurdles in her classroom. “Almost 90% of coding is debugging,” she explains. When students struggle to get their programs to work, Keri encourages them to think critically rather than providing the answers outright.
“I won’t just give my students the answers because I want them to become critical thinkers. If I give them the answers all the time, they don’t learn to think for themselves,” she says.
To overcome these challenges, Keri turned to LocoRobo for support. LocoRobo’s dedicated support system provided her with tools to recalibrate robots, troubleshoot issues, and even offered teacher discounts to help expand her robotics program. “LocoRobo’s support has been incredible. They helped me with everything from optimizing robot performance to troubleshooting code. Having that support in the classroom is invaluable,” Keri explains.
Building a Robotics Program from the Ground Up
Keri started with a small set of four robots, working with her advanced students to test and refine the program. Over two years, she secured grants and discounts to grow her program to 14 robots, allowing her to offer a full robotics class. “In the beginning, I didn’t know much about Python or how to work with robots, but LocoRobo’s tech support and teacher resources made all the difference,” Keri recalls.
As her students mastered Python and began to work on more advanced projects, the excitement of technology in classroom grew. Students no longer viewed coding as an obstacle but as an opportunity to create and innovate.
Real-World Application and STEM Career Exploration
The impact of Keri’s program is profound. From solving mathematical problems with code to exploring career paths in computer science, Keri’s class is shaping future innovators. “Many of my students have gone on to pursue computer science or engineering. Seeing them connect the dots between coding and real-world applications is incredibly rewarding,” Keri says.
Her students’ success is evident in the way they approach challenges—confidently, critically, and creatively.
The skills students learn in Keri’s classes extend beyond coding. They develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills that benefit them in other subjects. “They use math in my robotics program with angles, figuring out the distance in centimeters, and logically working on the coding to produce a desired result,” Keri explains.
One of the most rewarding moments for Keri is when students experience their “Aha!” moments. “The best Aha moments are when students start talking to me in code,” she says. “They come and tell me what they wrote, show me their code, and explain why they wrote it. I especially love it when they find a bug and say, ‘Just a minute, I need to fix the code,’ and I didn’t even have to tell them it was wrong.”
Outcomes: Creating a Culture of Innovation
Keri’s robotics program has garnered attention beyond her school. A community college instructor who visited her class was amazed by the level of coding her students were capable of.
“When the college instructor saw what my students were doing, he was amazed. He told me that our students were already working on more complex coding projects than students in his college-level courses. It was a proud moment,” Keri reflects.
Inspiring Future Engineers: A Teacher’s Influence on Career Pathways
Through her partnership with LocoRobo, Keri Mustoe has cultivated a dynamic hands-on learning environment where students are empowered to become problem-solvers and innovators. By providing students with the tools and skills to succeed in STEM, Keri is helping them take the first steps toward careers in technology, engineering, and beyond. “LocoRobo has been a game-changer in my classroom. It’s more than just robots and coding—it’s about preparing students for the future,” Keri concludes.
Keri’s story is a testament to the transformative power of STEM education and the impact one teacher can have on the lives of students.
