Sphero SPRK Edition helps children shape their own future as they see their programming skills take hold of transparent robo-ball
It’s a little plastic ball, but it’s anything but simple. Instead, it’s a Bluetooth-connected robot that responds to your commands from your smartphone or tablet. Make it roll, spin, turn, or change color. Though around since 2011, Sphero is tapping into new ways of inspiring kids to explore robotics and coding through the Sphero SPRK Edition.
Sphero SPRK (pronounced “spark”) uses the robotic ball to get kids to apply principles they learn in classrooms. Kids learn to program Sphero to go certain directions at certain speeds for certain lengths of time. They can make it follow paths to demonstrate their grasp of geometry, or change speed to see how percentages work.
They can collaborate to build bridges that support the ball, or compete in maze-running challenges. Each lesson is designed to teach Common Core principles, but the kids don’t care—they’re too busy having fun.
In the meantime, they’re getting hands-on experience in math, engineering, coding, music, art, science, and more.
The basic Sphero toy has several different apps and games to control it, but the SPRK app is different in that it is meant to show the programming behind the movements. Using the low-level language OVAL, the app lets kids plug in sets of commands like “Set Heading,” “Delay,” “Loop,” and “Stop” to plot the course of the Sphero. Once they have mastered these, the app even allows access to the actual code underlying each command so they can learn what text-based coding looks like. The lessons are available free online.
The SPRK app also acts as a social media outlet, where users can see what others have done with their Sphero.
Sphero SPRK Edition comes with the Sphero ball and induction charger, project book and “genius kit” to get kids started. It sells on the Sphero website for $129.