Follow Raheem and Astro on their problem solving journey
- Carlotta A. Berry, PhD
- 1 minute ago
- 2 min read
Robot Explorations: How Can I Fix Astro?
At NoireSTEMinist®, we believe robotics is one of the most powerful gateways into STEM—especially when kids see themselves as the thinkers, tinkerers, and problem-solvers at the center of the story. That vision continues with another title in the Robot Explorations series: How Can I Fix Astro?
This book celebrates curiosity, collaboration, and the joy of figuring things out.
Meet Raheem and Astro
Raheem is a young Black boy who loves school, learning, and fixing things. If something is broken, confusing, or not working the way it should, Raheem is already thinking, How can I make this better?
His favorite part of the school day is working with the class robot, Astro. Through Astro, Raheem learns foundational STEM concepts:
How robots are built
How the “brain” of a robot is programmed
How sensors help robots see and interact with the world
Astro isn’t just a classroom tool. Astro is a learning partner.
When Something Goes Wrong
One day, Astro starts acting differently.
It can’t follow lines. It won’t track the flashlight. The robot that usually works so well suddenly… doesn’t.
Instead of frustration, Raheem leans into curiosity. He asks the right question: How can I fix Astro?
Problem-Solving Through Teamwork
With the help of his friends, Raheem uses observation, quick thinking, and collaborative problem-solving to diagnose what’s wrong. Together, they:
Identify the problem
Test ideas and possible causes
Use logic and experimentation to find a solution
This story models the engineering design process in a way that feels natural, social, and empowering. Kids see that engineering isn’t about knowing everything—it’s about working together, asking questions, and not giving up.
Why This Story Matters
How Can I Fix Astro? reinforces several core NoireSTEMinist® values:
Black boys as joyful learners and capable engineers
Robotics as an accessible, hands-on way to learn STEM
Collaboration as a strength, not a shortcut
Mistakes as part of learning, not the end of it
Raheem doesn’t fix Astro alone. He fixes Astro with community—and that matters.
Robots as a Pathway Into STEM
The Robot Explorations series shows children that robots are not just toys or tools. They are gateways into Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math, grounded in real-world thinking and creativity.
Through stories like Raheem and Astro’s, kids learn that:
They can ask smart questions
They can solve complex problems
They already belong in STEM
Back to Learning, Better Than Before
By the end of the story, Astro is working again—better than ever. But the real success isn’t just the fixed robot. It’s the confidence Raheem and his friends gain along the way.
Because when kids learn how to fix robots,they’re also learning how to fix problems in the world.
And that’s what Robot Explorations—and NoireSTEMinist®—is all about.
How Can I Fix Astro? is now available in the NoireSTEMinist® shop and everywhere that books are sold.
