JoyBots: Designing a Robotics-Infused Happiness Program for Asian American Children

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Published: Apr 5, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14434/ijdl.v17i1.41982
Keywords:
Happiness, Robotics, Design-based Research, Asian American children
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Design Cases
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Suzhen Duan
Towson University
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1272-719X
Qijie Vicky Cai
Towson University
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8528-9744
Liyan Song
Towson University
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9284-2093
Pei Ge
Towson University
https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2177-5119

Abstract

This design case documents the creation of JoyBots, a robotics-infused happiness education program for Asian American children in grades 1-4. Designed to address the growing need for emotional resilience and well-being among this population, the program aims to equip young learners with happiness-related knowledge and skills that prepare them to navigate future challenges with confidence. Developed by an interdisciplinary team in partnership with a Chinese heritage school, the six-session program was structured around the PERMA model of well-being and grounded in constructivist learning principles. The design process unfolded iteratively, beginning with the challenge of translating abstract psychological concepts into child-friendly activities, followed by the integration of robotics to make those concepts tangible, and culminating in refinements that addressed accessibility, multilingual supports, and instructor readiness. Pilot teaching sessions with 17 students confirmed the promise of combining robotics and happiness education while also revealing areas for improvement in pacing, scaffolding, and language support.

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How to Cite
Duan, S., Cai, Q. V., Song, L., & Ge, P. (2026). JoyBots: Designing a Robotics-Infused Happiness Program for Asian American Children. International Journal of Designs for Learning, 17(1), 126–139. https://doi.org/10.14434/ijdl.v17i1.41982
Author Biographies

Suzhen Duan, Towson University

Suzhen Duan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Learning Technologies, Design, and School Library Media at Towson University. Her areas of expertise include positive psychology and technology integration.

Qijie Vicky Cai, Towson University

Qijie Vicky Cai is an Associate Professor in the Department of Learning Technologies, Design, and School Library Media at Towson University. She serves as the director of the Instructional Design and Development concentration within the Master’s program in Instructional Technology. Her areas of expertise include learning experience design, robotics and STEM education, computational thinking, and creativity.

Liyan Song, Towson University

Liyan Song is a Professor in the Department of Learning Technologies, Design, and School Library Media at Towson University. She directs the Educational Technology concentration of the Instructional Technology master’s program. Her areas of expertise include distance education, action research, technology integration, and conceptual change.

Pei Ge, Towson University

Pei Ge is a doctoral student in the Department of Learning Technologies, Design, and School Library Media at Towson University. She gained a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in early childhood education and has taught students ranging from two years old to third grade in both China and the U.S. for over fourteen years. Her dissertation focuses on the effectiveness of using a robotic-based storytelling approach to enhance children’s expressive language development.

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