Much of math and science instruction in schools is abstract and theoretical, and half the job of a teacher is to engage kids in learning these abstract and complex STEM subjects. For kids, robots are the stuff of the future and science fiction, they are drawn to them.
Edison is a great first robot. It hails from Australia where it has a huge STEM following, less so in the USA. It checks all the boxes for a good classroom robot: easy to use, widely compatible, good lesson plans. A nice plus that it connects to LEGOs, whether you use it or not.