Sphero SPRK+

Sphero Robots Were Fun!

Earlier this year, our library instructor purchased two Sphero SPRK+ robots for our students to use. We brought them out last week to start using with students. We decided to start with our 5th grade classes since they had recently had some experience using Scratch to code their science projects. Sphero uses a similar block style coding, and we hoped their previous experience would transfer over. 

Marissa works to write code
that will drive her robot.

We started with a simple activity to teach students how to use and program Sphero. We designed two mazes for students to 'drive' the Sphero along. Using the Sphero App on an iPad, students figured out how to move forward and backward, make turns, and control speed and distance. Students worked in partners to program code. After writing a few lines they came to the test track in the back and tried their program to see how Sphero moved. Partners took notes on the Sphero's progress so they could go back and make changes to their code and improve their Sphero's performance. 

Students test their code
using the Sphero and an iPad.

After two class periods, we have one group that found success in the maze and several groups who need just a few final tweaks to get their Sphero following the maze. We'll be able to wrap up this introduction next week and work on ways to bring Sphero to some other classes, perhaps asking these experienced 5th graders to come in and work with our younger grade levels to complete the same project.  

Going Forward into the Classroom

At first, I wasn't exactly sure how to use Sphero to really help aid the standard curriculum. It was an interesting toy; it helps to teach logical thinking and problem solving via coding, but I wasn't sure how that translated to instructional content and standards exactly. But when I was the ICE IL conference the end of February, I attended a session on using Sphero and was impressed by how this presenter was able to use Sphero in his library/media classes with all his students to help support classroom curriculum. 

Garrett Gross (@ggtechteacher) had some amazing ideas on how to use Sphero in the content areas. He showed examples of review games, sight word games, and many applications for math practice. He also had some really practical tips for making the process run smoother. After our first day of practice, his suggestion to use pool noodles to create course boundaries made a ton of sense. I'm hoping to find ways to bring some of these ideas to our school and classrooms. 

Here's a video I took of our first two students to complete the maze.  

And a video from the day as a student explains to a parent volunteer what they are attempting to do. These same students then came to the back to test their code. You can see them in the video below taking notes on what didn't work and brainstorming ideas for how to improve it. 

Thank You

Finally, Mrs. Bednarek and I want to thank our PTA for providing the funds to purchase these devices. The money was raised by the PTA from our school book fair. They allocated the funds to the library and we were able to invest in some cool Maker Space or robotics devices and activities for the students.

We Made Projects in Scratch!

Science Learning with Scratch

Sample image of a project. 

Our 5th grade science classes used Scratch to complete a culminating science project for a unit on space. Students used Scratch to create a program that showed the relative size of the sun from various planets. They wrote code that moved a rocket around the solar system. When they landed on each planet, the view of the sun would change. On planets closer to the sun, students made the sun appear larger. On planets further from the sun, they programmed the sun to appear smaller. They also included text to explain the changes a user would see and an explanation of the science behind it. 

Students were provided the background, planet sprites, the rocket, and sun. They had to order to order the planets appropriately, and then write code to move the rocket and make it all work. I provided students with videos outlining the basic concepts they would need and provided sample code with annotations for the planet Venus. Students were able to use these directions to figure out how to make their project work. 

Students help each out
debugging their code. 

After they completed the basics of the project and demonstrated their mastery of the science content many of them continued exploring. They added sounds and changed to different backgrounds. It was pretty amazing to see students exploring all on their own and taking initiative to improve their projects beyond the basic requirements. 

While everyone worked on their own project, there was lots of collaboration among students. They were just as likely to find an answer from a classmate as they were from Mrs. Peroutka, Mrs. Delestowicz, or me. It's really exciting to watch students share their learning like this. 

Making Games to Demonstrate Knowledge

Student created True/False
game from using research on
Ellen DeGeneres 

Students in junior high classes have an opportunity to make a Scratch project in their REC class this year too. For their final research assignment, students have the option to make a True/False game instead of giving a third speech. They present the true/false game to the class and students get to play along. 

Students created a project based on a model I demonstrated. They added their own backgrounds, sprites, sounds, and other details. They presented their Scratch projects to the class.

A Thank You for My Comrades

Thank you so much to Mrs. Peroutka and Mrs. Delestowicz who were willing to step outside their comfort zone and work with students on this science assignment. We all learned together and had a great time. 

Going Forward with CS First

Shortly after finishing this science assignment, I attended a CS First workshop. This was a great experience and I learned a lot about how Google is working with MIT to make Scratch easier to manage in the classroom. They have many great lesson plans already created for students complete with sample projects for students to see. There's also an amazing dashboard that helps you manage student work. This was definitely the most difficult part of using Scratch in the classroom. The teacher management side is lacking and makes it difficult to organize and manage. The Google dashboard that comes with CS First is amazing and will go a long way toward eliminating problems such as forgotten usernames and passwords. The CS First dashboard also makes all students anonymous so there work can be shared without their identity being available on the internet (even if it is hidden behind a random username). I'm excited to start trying out the CS first plans and using Scratch a little more in the classroom.