Schools across the country are beginning to invest more in computer science and coding.
Founded in 2010, Sphero makes computer science fun for students of all ages with a robot ball. The Boulder, Co.-based company has released a newer version called the Sphero BOLT which incorporates an app and curriculum to teach coding, engineering and other sciences.
“They’re like the perfect little robot companion to start teaching STEM,” Sphero Co-founder Adam Wilson said.
Wilson said that he and his partner Ian Bernstein created Sphero after realizing that the world of robotics and toys were changing.
“Smartphones were becoming more prolific and kids were starting to have them,” Wilson said. “They were becoming the new way to do things.”
Sphero BOLT offers enhanced features, longer battery life and infrared sensors that enable BOLT-to-BOLT communication. The ball is rechargeable and has a battery life of six hours, compared to the 2-hour battery life of its previous version. Sphero BOLT is also waterproof and nearly indestructible.
Wilson said that the Sphero BOLT is perfect for teachers who are having to quickly learn how to teach STEM.
“There’s not really a lot of time for everybody to get trained up on programming and robotics and more advanced technology,” Wilson said.
Sphero Edu, the app companion to the Sphero BOLT, allows students to control their robots and provides teachers with thousands of activities and lessons for students. Students can code light shows, display graphs, and learn introductory JAVA Script with the Sphero BOLT, making it an ideal tool for STEM education.
Wilson said some classrooms are also incorporating art into the Sphero BOLT lesson plans by programming the robot to roll through paint and create autonomous paintings. Other classrooms have programmed the robot balls to display light shows.
Each Sphero BOLT costs $149.99. The company also provides two classroom packs: the BOLT Power Pack and the BOLT 15 Pack for $2499.99 and $1949.99, respectively.
Each pack includes 15 Sphero BOLTs; however, the BOLT Power Pack includes 15 chargers, protractors, and maze tape for more hands-on activities.
