Robotics skills are in high demand, but learning robotics can be difficult due to the wide range of required knowledge, increasingly complex and diverse platforms, and components requiring dedicated software. One way to mitigate such problems is by utilizing a standard framework such as Robot Operating System (ROS), which facilitates development through the reuse of opensource code—a challenge is that learning curves can be steep for students who are also first-time users. In the current paper, we suggest the use of a behavior model to structure the learning of complex frameworks like ROS in an engaging way. A practical example is provided, of integrating ROS into a robotics course called the “Design of Embedded and Intelligent Systems” (DEIS), along with feedback suggesting that some students responded positively to learning experiences enabled by our approach. Furthermore, some course materials, videos, and code have been made available online, which we hope might provide useful insights. © 2018 CEUR-WS. All Rights Reserved.