Sphero’s been in the game for a while now. They launched back in 2010 and provided a small number of early adopters with a small market product called Sphero. Today, the company employs over 70 creative types and is working on solving a major problem that’s found in today’s classroom.
SPRK is an educational curriculum that Sphero launched a few years back. It provides teachers with an in-depth learning platform with multiples lessons, activities, and challenges that kids of all ages can participate in. With the launch of their latest Sphero product, Sphero SPRK Edition
Sphero products
Starting up the SPRK for the first time is as easy as giving the robot two slight taps on its outer shell. Once awaken, it glows a series of three colors and awaits a connection to your phone. Once a connection has been established via Bluetooth, SPRK glows a solid blue and remains idle until uploaded with the first default program.
The SPRK app is extremely intuitive and user-friendly from the get-go. A clean programming interface is the first screen that’s brought up once Sphero is connected, and it even walks you through the first steps in making a SPRK program. SPRK programming is block-based like Blockly and Scratch, and it doesn’t allow for any actual code writing to take place (although you can peak under the hood to see the blocks converted into code). The app’s programming environment includes draggable blocks based on object-oriented programming. Blocks that are properties can set Sphero’s speed and color, and blocks that are methods can send Sphero rolling, stopping, and spinning. Multiple blocks can then be connected into one program to control Sphero.
The first default program lets you give Sphero a color and then make it roll in a certain direction. From then on, you’re able to test out pre-made programs or make your own using the multiple action, event, sensor, control, and operator blocks.
Some pre-made programs include “auto drive,” “lights,” and “spiraling growth.” Auto drive lets Sphero roll around until it bumps into an object in which it turns around and keeps on rolling. Lights is another simple program, and it basically controls Sphero’s built-in LEDs. Spiraling growth is a bit more complex than the other two programs, and it uses the spin action and delay to drive Sphero around in a growing spiral shape. Other pre-made programs are also available in the app.
But the real fun of Sphero SPRK Edition doesn’t come from what’s already in the app: it comes from building your own programs from scratch. Simple programs like making Sphero light up green or red when changing its direction can be easily crafted and then built upon. More complex programs such as giving Sphero autonomous behavior based on its interaction with its environment are also feasible.
In addition to the SPRK app, Sphero has developed a Blockly-based browser programming app. It designed to work straight out of your internet browser (Chrome), but it’s in the beta stage and doesn’t quite work like it should. Difficulties such as disappearing start buttons and trash bins as well as Sphero connection issues render it unusable. But that’s okay because there’s still the SPRK app and all the other apps that Sphero has available.
Sphero SPRK Edition combines the technology from Sphero with the SPRK curriculum. It’s designed to sparks kids’ curiosity and lets them experiment by bringing Sphero alive through technology they already know and love. At the same time, it introduces STEM ideas and concepts through play. Sphero SPRK Edition does exactly what it’s made to do and that’s turning play into a powerful teacher.
Sphero SPRK Edition is currently on Amazon
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