Sphero - Coding Robots for All Ages

Sphero

Spheros are coding robots for kids ranging from preschool to high school. There are four different coding robots available at this time, Sphero Indie, Sphero Mini, Sphero Bolt, and Sphero RVR+. Along with these robots one can purchase activity kits and computer science educational curriculum guides. Everything you need can be found on their website Sphero.

I first learned about these this past school year when my 5^th grade class went on a field trip learning about all different types of coding robots. My 10 and 11-year-old students loved playing with the Spheros and creating obstacle courses for them to navigate. We only had 45 minutes to play and therefore they were left wanting more. Since then I have been researching ways to gain funds to purchase these for our school. I had no idea the educational implications these tiny robots contain. There are so many different educational uses this technology has for students of all ages. The company is expanding and adding more resources and products consistently. They also provide educators with many resources for funding and professional development.

These robots can be used in a variety of ways to engage students in critical thinking and collaborative experiences throughout multidisciplinary projects. Using the Technology Integration Matrix and the resources available to teachers on the Spheros website, one can conclude that spheros effectively address the five characteristics of meaningful learning environments as well as eventually reaching the fifth level of technology integration, the transformation level. Teachers can use these coding robots in conjunction with core classroom content to provide experiences like competing in the Sphero Global Challenge, Sphero in the Wild. These competitions allow students to compete by inventing ways to solve problems collaboratively with a team of friends to learn about animals in the wild. For learners using the Spheros Littlebits, the goal is to design and program a museum display that addresses the importance of conservation efforts to protect a chosen animal and its environment.