Sphero Coding and Engineering
Develop your students' coding, maths, and problem-solving skills in these fun workshops!
The Neon quality mark shows this activity has been reviewed and meets Neon's quality standards.
Overview
In these workshops, your students will learn about the engineering that goes into either the Sphero Bolt or Sphero RVR+ (rover). They will gain an understanding of how engineering solves problems faced in the world around them. They will also find out about the routes to studying engineering and more about the different roles in a whole host of engineering disciplines.
Sphero Coding and Engineering centres round a core activity that develops students' coding skills and knowledge of engineering. Additional themes and challenges then allow you to tailor the workshop to the most appropriate for your students needs or interests.
Core activity
Using block-based code all students conduct tests to ensure the robots are working logically. Following this, they apply logic and maths to test code a simple shape using distance, speed, time and headings in degrees. They then build on their observations to make the outcomes more accurate, adding lights and sounds to their code to express their creativity. With Bolt they can also use or develop their own animations on the LED matrix.
Additional workshop options
With basics covered, there are several separate options to choose from:
- Mars Mazes: Learn a little about Mars Rovers and space exploration / the UK Space industry, then navigate around a Mars Maze challenge mat. This may be combined with sensor outcomes below depending on time available.
- Sensors: Learn to access the ambient light sensor (Bolt and RVR+), colour sensor (RVR+) and pitch sensor (RVR+) and conduct experiments, record data and use code to make decisions based on the data sensed.
- Trains: Learners create their very own train network and code their way from station to station. Using engineering habits to overcome challenges and map the train lines and stations. There is also an option to build a train of multiple carriages using the robot as the engine.
Creating and using variables, functions and comparators are all possible in these engaging workshops dependent on the needs and abilities of the learners.
Capacity
Minimum of 10 participants, maximum of 32 participants.
Cost
From £599 for a full day's session. Contact the provider for a full quote tailored to your requirements.
Dates and location
Skill Supply does not charge travel costs on top of their workshops if the location is within one hour of their office in Sandbach, Cheshire. For travel times over this, they will charge mileage, and for over 2 hours they may need to add accommodation costs on top. Full quotes can be offered before purchase.
Duration
The workshops can be a half (around 2.5 hours) or a whole day (around 5 hours) and fit in with a normal school day's break and lunchtime.
Details
- School subject
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- Technology/computing
- Design and technology
- Engineering
- Maths
- Curriculum links
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- Computing
- Physics: Electricity and electromagnetism
- Engineering
- Physics: Space physics
- Design and technology
- Sciences - Forces, electricity and waves: Electricity
- Computing science
- Sciences - Planet earth: Space
- Technologies - Craft, design, engineering and graphics: Application of engineering
- Technologies - Craft, design, engineering and graphics
- Physics: Electricity
- Physics
- Design thinking and engineering: Engineering
- Technology & design - Communication: Use of ICT tools (including 3D modelling)
- Sciences - Forces and energy: Using electricity
- Technology & design - Control: Incorporate control systems in products
- Sciences - Earth and universe: The solar system and universe
- Technology & design - Design
- Technology & design - Manufacturing
- Group size
- Small groups, Whole class
- Participation level
- Hands-on
- Duration
- Whole day
- Cost
- Cost applies
- Location
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In-school
- UK-wide
Learning outcomes
- Improve engagement, interest or enjoyment in STEM subjects
- Attainment and progress
- Develop engineering employability skills
- Improve awareness and aspirations for STEM-related study and careers
- Challenge stereotypes by showing the diversity of disciplines, people and skills involved in engineering
Frameworks
Gatsby benchmarks
The Gatsby benchmarks are a framework for good careers guidance for schools across all of England and in some areas across the rest of the UK. This experience helps your school to reach the following benchmarks:
- 2 - Learning from career and labour market information
- 3 - Addressing the needs of each pupil
- 4 - Linking curriculum learning to careers
EqualEx
- Introduce and Inspire
- Investigate and Explore
Essential skills
The essential skills every young person needs to succeed in education and their future career. Find out more at the Skills Builder Partnership. This experience builds the following skills:
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Enrichment framework
- 5 - An accessible and engagement enrichment offer
- 7 - An outcomes-focused enrichment offer
Testimonials
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Our students thoroughly enjoyed the workshops. Dominic was very accommodating of our students' needs and interests and ensured that they all got the most out of it- both learning and enjoyment.
— Claire Ward, Science Lead, secondary
