How to Implement

• Discuss: Why should we program a square rather than driving the Sphero? How does programming give us an advantage?
• Have girls work in groups of three or four and choose roles, prompting them throughout to switch roles so that everyone gets a chance to participate at different levels.
• Introduce the Sphero EDU app. Have the girls:
  • navigate to the app on the tablet.
  • complete Canvas Tutorial for an overview of the programming environment. Go to Programs > Sphero > Blocks Canvas Tutorial.
  • Notes:
    • The girls will be prompted to pair Sphero before they can use this tutorial.
    • They will automatically get a copy of the sample program in the “My Programs Tab.”
    • The tutorial ends with opening up the Activities Panel. At this point, redirect the girls back to the Programs Panel.
• Challenge them to create a new program that has Sphero drive in a square in as few blocks as possible (prompt them to use loops if they don’t figure that out on their own).
• Once they have drawn a shape you can prompt them to modify the code to create different shapes (triangle, pentagon, etc.). They can also modify the time or speed to see how that impacts accuracy.
• After they have successfully programmed a square and tried out some other shapes, show them the Sphero tab and give them time to explore other programs.
• If the girls haven’t discovered it already, you can show them the More button which has the Robot Reveal to see what is inside Sphero. They can also find extra help, if they need it, here.