Research in this study investigated the effectiveness of robotics in promoting the critical thinking skills of middle school students in a public school classroom setting. The research began with an analysis of the effect of educational robotics in improving the critical thinking skills of middle school students. The researcher then sought to determine if educational robotics also affects the students' attitude towards STEM fields. Participants in this study ranged in age from 11-14 years. From this age group, students who had no prior experience in robotics were selected. As the experimental group. Utilizing a quasi-experimental design model, students were then grouped into two groups. The first group included those who were currently taking a robotics elective class (experimental group). The second included students who had no prior experience in robotics and were not currently enrolled in a robotics elective class (control group). Each group was given the California Critical Thinking Skills Test -- Middle School level (CCTST M25) and surveyed at the beginning (pre-test) and at the end (post-test) of the school year. Pre and post-test data collected were analyzed using the paired t-test, Welsh's t-test, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The results of these test statistics robotics have a significant impact on middle school students critical thinking skills. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]