Sphero SPRK+ (Mini's Big Brother)

Last week I wrote about the Sphero Mini and loved it.  However, this past weekend I got to play with it's big brother the Sphero SPRK+ and it was even more AMAZING!!  The maneuverability of the Sphero SPRK+ was much easier compared to the golf sized Sphero Mini.  In addition, the learning opportunities with a larger Sphero are ​endless.  As I sat through the professional development course on how to integrate the computer science involved in operating the Sphero with other academic subjects, my mind began to race

with possibilities.  The device could used when teaching geometry standards in math, while studying the 13 original English colonies in Social Studies, during writing to add a visual element to a written narrative, and even in science to experiment with velocity and distance.  The youngest elementary students to the oldest high school students could use it to learn computer programming skills within almost any academic subject.  It is also friendly to "non-techies" once they have learned a few basic operating steps.

My fingers are crossed that my district will decide to purchase some of these amazing devices and allow teachers to use them across all grade levels and subject.  I would definitely recommend this device to anyone who has a kid interested in computer programming and want to see them learning and having fun whether they are programming alone or collaborating with a friend to create an amazing program.

Here's a little more technical information about the Sphero:
There are multiple versions of  the "big brother" Spheros and three of the most popular versions can be purchased here, on Amazon.  The prices range from $88-$173.  Of these three the Sphero SPRK+ was the cheapest.  It was about the size of a baseball and synced easily to a hand-held device (we used an iPad).  However, it could also be used with Chromebooks.  The device syncs using the Sphero app.  Students have the option to code using blocks or JavaScript.  They can also manually drive the ball or use the "draw" option which allows them to pre-draw a path for the Sphero to drive.  Check out the video below for every more details on how the Sphero SPRK+ is AMAZING!

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases