Sphero

About
Sphero SPRK is a robotic ball that takes the mechanisms used to control toys uses them as a way to teach students the basics of coding. Sphero 2.0 SPRK stands for "Students, Parents, Robots and Kids," and offers app connectivity and a teaching platform making a valuable teaching tool in schools worldwide.

Appropriate for Grades: 1-12

Adding Value by Adding Sphero
Teachers, media specialists, and makers use Sphero Edu to help students embrace STEAM philosophies. When they work together and build on each other's programs, students experience the collaborative nature of careers in science and technology. Students learn that engineering is a creative process when they thoughtfully make a program for their robot and persist when that program fails.

Teachers can sign up for an instructor account and assign activities for students. Start with the provided introductory modules to help students learn how the robot works. After they see the potential of the Sphero robot, let them loose to plan their own projects. 

Additional Resources
A large collection of free code from Sphero.edu that can be used to program your Sphero robots to do many amazing things.

Sphero Edu activities are STEAM-centric and designed to inspire your creativity. Navigate a maze. Program a painting. Mimic the solar system. Design a boat. Have a dance party…the only limit is your imagination. ‍Explore activities aligned to NGSS, CCSS, and various state standards to breathe new life into your school curriculum, or use them as a collaboration tool in clubs, makerspaces, enrichment programs, and more. Organized by content areas and grade levels.

The Introduction to Sphero EduPaths course uses an in-class Maze activity that can be integrated into the classroom.  It highlighting basic Sphero controls, driving the sphero (manually and through coding), as well as reflecting on successes/failures.

Educational Robot with a Dose of Fun video showcases the Sphero SPRK (School, Parents, Robots, Kids) Edition which takes the Sphero app controlled ball and turns it into a true robotic programming experience for kids of all ages.  No computer necessary, use the SPRK app on any iOS or Android device and program your transparent Sphero to do complex maneuvers. 

Apps to run your Sphero are available in Android and iOS versions..

For additional assistance with Sphero or to try-before-you-buy, please contact your local REMC.