Your web browser might not work well with our site. We recommend you upgrade your browser.
I teach middle school science and computer technology in a rural school in Oklahoma. This opportunity has come at the most perfect time for my classes. My computer students have been learning how to code and have been programming a Sphero Sprk robot. I have loved seeing them collaborate to work on challenging problems and be persistent. I would love to purchase a class set of the Sphero Sprk robots so they do not all have to share the same one. If I had a class set I could also use them for an after school program as well. We chose the Sphero Sprk because it is waterproof, crash proof, and has so many functions. The students can easily download the app on their phones or other mobile devices. They are able to build code from home or at school and can use Blockly or JavaScript to program the Sphero robot. Resources are also available for educators. Learning how to code has many benefits like improving math skills and computational thinking. It also allows them to think like an engineer and be creative. The students solve problems, collaborate, and communicate. When it becomes challenging, they learn to be resilient and not give up. They work together to find a solution and manage frustration. Coding provides many coping skills that we know students need now more than ever. My students and I would be very grateful to be recipients of this funding. As the students grow in their knowledge of coding I can’t wait to share their creations with our school and community.