This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Sphero. The opinions and text are all mine.
I am thrilled to partner with Sphero Edu today to tell you all about the SPRK+ robot.
Technology is the way of the future. There is absolutely no denying this fact — but I still get faint at the sound of it. In fact I got a little light headed just writing that sentence.
Truthfully, I think I am getting much better with it. Plus most technology is now SO user friendly. Since my confidence has been slowly building, when I had the chance to review this Sphero SPRK+ robot I took the leap. We love all things STEAM related and I adored the creativity aspect of this device as well.
It arrived and then it sat on my counter untouched for a week.
My kids were aching to try it! But I wasn’t quite ready. It was the word “coding” that made me nervous. Very technical sounding. I wanted to wait until I had a nice long bout of time that I could get to know about this robot and how it worked all on my own. And when that time came, I gathered all my courage, sat down for a moment with my feet elevated, gathered my courage for a second time, and opened that package.
And let me just say – the Sphero SPRK+ robot is so, so, so, so simple and straightforward to use! Truly.
I could have easily handled the set up with those little helping hands that so often join me. It was as simple as adding the Sphero Edu app to our iPad and tapping the robot with my hand.
Then it was time to play and explore. I was having so much fun I forgot that it was actually technology. I was having so much fun I didn’t even realise I was learning to code. I was having so much fun I forgot I was suppose to call the kids in to have a turn.
Ahem.
Please let me tell you a little about this robot and how my kids have been learning and playing with him.
We downloaded an app called “Sphero Edu” which includes programming activities and the ability to build and share content. It also lets my little ones program the robot in 3 different ways. Because of their ages, and their Mamas lack of technical know-how, we started with the first two options.
The first way to program SPRK+ is simply to draw! My little ones would move their finger on the iPad and draw a design or a letter or a shape and then press the play button and SPRK+ would move in exactly that way. So simple and so cool.
We popped a clear cup over the robot and taped a marker to it so we could do some ‘real-life’ drawing. It was really neat for the kids to see the lines on the paper and how they compared to the lines on the iPad. For example, when the robot turned a corner, the marker would sometimes make a wide turn causing the angles to look different.
The second way to program is by dragging and dropping instructions onto the screen. We could select “roll” and then add in how long we wanted the robot to roll for, how quickly, as well as what direction we wanted him to roll (an awesome introduction to degrees with this part). We could also drag and drop options such as spinning and colour changing.
The third option involves simple, basic coding. We haven’t tackled this yet, but as the boys get a little older they will move seamlessly into this phase. I love that there are options that make this robot accessible to all ages and ability levels.
I was amazed at all the learning that was taking place! The kids were learning the effect speed had on distance travelled, as the robot went farther over 3 seconds at a speed of 150 than 4 seconds at a speed of 75. They learned that going up hill or through grass required a faster speed. There were constant opportunities for learning.
I love how Sphero Edu goes beyond code by incorporating robotics and technology with collaborative STEAM activities. Within Sphero Edu we found activities that blend coding with real world concepts and subject areas. I truly forgot how technical I was being – I was able to move beyond code!
Here is a fabulous video letting you know all about SPRK+ and the Spero Edu app.
We have been completely impressed with the Sphero SPRK+ robot and I am so thrilled to be able to offer you a chance to win one as well!
To be entered to win a Sphero SPRK+ robot simply visit the Sphero website and leave a comment below letting me know what learning adventure you would try with your SPRK+ robot!
You can learn more about the Sphero SPRK+ Robot on their website, and follow along with them on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
Please be sure to leave a comment for your chance to win!!! Thank you so much friends – and good luck!
Wow! This is so amazing! I love how it allows the child’s imagination to let go and imagine!!
Such a neat toy! Thank you for entering – good luck!
We’d use it to demonstrate how the solar system works! This is an awesome piece of technology!
Very cool – thank you for entering! Good luck!
My son would love all the activities listed and I’m sure he would come up with many more of his own too. Just wondering if it can really swim!
Hi Heather – thanks so much for entering the Giveaway! It really, truly can swim!!
Learning about the solar system would be so fun!
It would absolutely be so fun! Thank you so much for entering – good luck!!
Learning about the solar system and fortune telling would be entertaining
Fortune telling?! What a creative soul!!! Love this idea – thank you so much for entering and good luck!
THe Ultimate Lightning McQueen!!!! THat would be what we would do with ours!
Such a cool concept Allyson – love it!! Good luck and thank you for entering!
I am a 54 yr old mom to a 6 yr old (complicated story). This robot would help this old dog learn new tricks!
Hi Lisa – thank you for entering! This robot is a great introduction to coding for ALL ages 🙂 My old soul is well beyond 54 and I picked up on it lickety split! Good luck!
My boys would love the bowling and golf games with this! So much fun to be had while learning.
We have tried the bowling – really fun! I bet your boys would love it too! Thank you for entering Elizabeth – good luck!
The Marvel Spiderman is definitely something that my kids would love playing with. This looks like a wonderful toy for drawing.
Sounds awesome Wen! Thank you for entering – good luck!
My oldest daughter is an amazing artist so she would definitely love the drawing feature! My son would love learning about speed/resistance with this awesome robot. 🙂
They would have so much fun (and learn oodles along the way!) Thank you for entering Lauryn – good luck!
The solar system would be so fun.
It sure would be! Thank you for entering Gabrielly – good luck!
I think she would explore drawing and having more confidence in building
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Thank you for entering Tabithia – good luck!
I like the drawing feature and the Spiderman game.
Such neat features! Thank you for entering! Good luck!
I love how you can combine technology, play, art, robotics and coding all in one and that you all had fun with it despite different age levels!
I love all of that as well! Thank you so much for entering Abigail – good luck!!
We would love trying the golf out, my hubby is a big fan!
Fun for the whole family!!! Thank you for entering – good luck!
I would use it on a nature walk to examine and trace leaf shapes
This is a fabulous idea!! I think we will bring ours along on our next nature walk – thank you for the idea! Good luck!
I think my 2-year old would love this!
Thank you for entering Raegan! There are some super simple apps that make Sphero SPRK accessible to even toddlers! Good luck.
My daughter would love this! She’s start with sending it through a maze and then I imagine she’d have a blast drawing with it. I love that it combines coding and art in such a fun way.
I really love that piece of it too Nicole – thank you for entering and good luck!!
We want to build a bridge and a maze for Sphero!
AWESOME! Good luck and thank you for entering Trisha!
I W0ULD USE IT TO TEACH MY KIDDOS HOW OUR SOLAR SYSTEM WORKS!
Such a neat idea – thank you for entering Brittany! Good luck!
It was created by two dudes and in 2011 preorders were placed and went out around Christmas.
You’ve done some research!
that sphero is just the cutest little critter perfect for keeping my grandkids learning while i hang out in my hammock.
Ha!!! Happy hammocking Beverly! Thank you for entering – good luck!
That is so cool….My son would love learning about the solar system and much more.
SUper cool! Thank you for entering Katherine!! Good luck
I would love to use it to learn about the animals outside.
Oh I would love to hear how you plan to do this Leela! Thank you for entering – good luck!
I would use it to learn about the solar system.
Such a cool idea! Good luck Danielle!
Wow my boys would love this! How fun!
It is really fun! Thank you for entering Andrea – good luck!
My son loves to list all his music and other activities
Good luck Rajee – thank you for entering!
I would love to use the Sphero SPRK+ Robot to replicate planetary rotation and revolution.
Such a great learning tool. Thank you for entering Shirley – good luck!
I learned that this is an adorable little bot and my kids would love it.
Thank you for entering Heather – it really is adorable! Good luck!
We’d love to try doing the Scuba SPRK activity.
That is such a cool one – thank you for entering Ellen! Good luck!
My grandson loves to draw so I guess we would start with that first.
It’s so much fun! Good luck Nancy – thank you for entering!!
I like the augmented reality. It would be cool to see a minion in my living room, for example.
Thank you so much for entering! Good Luck!
my boys are at the age to learn and appreciate the solar system so thats what we would love to do with it.
Thank you for entering Ada – good luck!
This looks amazing ,technology has come so far
Has it ever! Good luck Natalie – thank you for entering!
I “earned that you can combine technology, play, art, robotics and coding all in one. Pretty cool! My munchkins would love this.
It is so cool! Thank you for entering – good luck Kathleen!
My granddaughters would start with drawing shapes.
Thank you for entering LeAnn! Good luck!
I work with deaf and hearing indegenous kids on a reservation in Panama. I am so excited to own one of these. They sell it here in our country. The climate n the reservation is sometimes pure mud. The hilly road is impassable in rainy season, and we must walk down to the school. So sphero is perfect! We can draw with mud as well as paints. I am teaching coding to these throwaway children, and they are naturals! I would love another one so they can compete. I have big plans for my sphero! Love your site, , thanks!! #DeafkidscodePanama.
Wow – what an important role you have! Keep up the amazing work Heather. Thank you so much for entering – Good Luck!
Drawing ..My son loves to draw so this would be fascinating to him 🙂 Thanks
Thank you for entering Angela! Good luck!
Learning about the solar system would be a top pick.
Agreed! THank you for entering – good luck Teresa!
Congratulations Teresa! You have won the Sphero SPRK+ Robot! Please email me your mailing address (HowWeeLearn@gmail.com)
Yay! Thank you so much!
We would love to use this to tech writing apps that can be used in various ways that my children play on the computer for eductaional; things.
Thank you for entering Elizabeth! Good Luck!
Thank you all so much for entering – the Giveaway is now closed – Congratulations to Teresa!
Learning about the solar system would be fun.
My daughter is REALLY into coding now and this would be super duper fantastic to win for her.