Rebecca Torchia is a web editor for EdTech: Focus on K–12. Previously, she has produced podcasts and written for several publications in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and her hometown of Pittsburgh.

“Mr. Bycraft, our robot goes backward!” my students informed me, running over after their latest test. “Is it supposed to go that way?” I asked, smiling. “No!” they said in unison, smiling back. “Well ...