More than Robots
More than Robots
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that More than Robots is a documentary about teen robotics teams that illustrates how the people involved learn and demonstrate positive values and skills through participating. The competition is more about life skills like problem-solving and communication than winning, and alliances and "coopertition" (cooperation and competition) are key components. Wealthier school districts with a lot of resources are teamed with less privileged programs. The teens, including some who might not fit in well with other kids, find a healthy outlet for their passions, make friends, and support their communities by giving back with their STEM know-how. They often grow up to mentor teams themselves. The stars of the film represent a range of races, genders, and ethnicities and come from the United States, Mexico, and Japan. Females talk about the importance of gender representation in STEM fields.
Community Reviews
Interesting and inspirational
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What's the Story?
MORE THAN ROBOTS follows teen robotics teams from the United States, Mexico, and Japan as they prepare for the annual FIRST competition in 2020. The competition, started by Segway founded Dean Kamen, attracts thousands of young people from around the world. The documentary interviews Kamen as well as teens and mentors about the growth of FIRST and how participation changes lives and benefits communities.
Is It Any Good?
This well-meaning documentary offers an inspiring glimpse into the world of teen robotics teams and will certainly have its niche, but general audiences may find it slightly long. It's a shame too, because the last 15 minutes of More Than Robots are worth the wait. An hour run-time would have been perfect.
When the pandemic shut down their competition, teams from around the world pivoted to serve others instead. The growth, spirit, and values on display here are truly inspirational. This film suggests there's hope for the future in the hands of these young people.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why there aren't more females in STEM fields, a topic of frequent discussion in More than Robots. Why is it important for young girls to be given these opportunities and to see other women involved?
How would you describe the concept of "coopertition"? Why is teamwork so valuable for these teenagers?
How do the young people depicted here give back to their communities? How can individuals and families give back to their own communities?
What character strengths do the teens here display?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: March 18, 2022
- Director: Gillian Jacobs
- Studio: Disney+
- Genre: Documentary
- Topics: Activism, STEM, Friendship, Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models, High School, Robots
- Character Strengths: Communication, Teamwork
- Run time: 69 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: May 6, 2022
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