Sphero Indi Coding Brings Robotics to Primary School!
Kids are Coding at Diven, Fassett, Pine City and Riverside
Using colored tiles for programming, students are creating code that makes indi robotic cars follow their coded pathway.
From math skills, to introductory engineering concepts, students are learning the fundamentals of robotic design. STEAM, -Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math- is encouraged for students through this new classroom software. Students are using math along with computer science principles to design code. The Sphero Indi learning robot is designed to encourage open-ended, imaginative play-based learning with real-life scenarios as students build custom mazes and solve puzzles.
Hear From Our Student Programmers and Learn About Sphero Indi!
Mrs. Billbe's 2nd Grade at Diven:
Bilbe Undercover indi_ Slideshow Template.pdf
Ms. Guyette's kindergarten at Fassett:
Team Guyette (Team Unicorn) Undercover indi_ Slideshow Template.pdf
Ms. Breslin's kindergarten at Riverside:
Breslin Undercover indi_ Slideshow Template.pdf
Kids can use different-colored silicone tiles to give their Sphero Indi car instructions, letting them create courses and mazes (and learn how to logically solve problems while doing so).
The Sphero Indi car uses a color-sensor to check which tile it’s driving over, with green tiles telling it to speed up, pink tiles telling it to turn left, purple tiles telling it to stop and celebrate, and so on.
National Sphero Indi Competition
We see great potential in Elmira and registered early education classrooms from the District into The Sphero Global Challenge -- the ultimate STEM Competition for students.
Students will explore computational thinking skills by designing a route for indi, constructing a secret message, and disguising indi to demonstrate their understanding of:
Problem Solving
Algorithmic Thinking
Basic Coding Concepts
Pattern Recognition
Throughout this school year, students have been assigned roles on the team; Engineers, Managers, Designers, DeBuggers and Programmers.
Student groups have worked through the challenge outlined by Sphero Indi and have designed code, with costumes and flawless programming, to crack the competition code.
With the help of their classroom teachers, these Sphero Indi teams will submit their designs digitally to the competition which is held in Texas in March 2024. The winners of this competition will be announced and advance to the Sphero World Championship in May! Wish our Elmira coders good luck in their quest to construct and deliver a secret message!
Why STEAM Education?
During a STEAM project, students must work together to problem-solve and come up with thoughtful solutions to various problems. Students must learn to communicate effectively and leverage their teammate's skills to achieve their shared goals.
STEAM projects, like Sphero Indi, encourages children's cognitive development because as children play with these tools, they observe and learn from the underlying cause and effect. These simpler technologies allow children to understand how tools help us accomplish tasks.