STEM Activities with SPRK+

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

Until this past school year I’d never heard of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Now STEM is everywhere and it’s become a huge hit among kids, teens and adults. Our school offered an after-school program where kids could come and experiment and exercise their STEM skills. My twins really loved all they earned, so they were especially excited when we were sent the Sphero SPRK+ robot kit. We’ve had fun exploring all of the STEM activities with SPRK+.

The SPRK+ pairs with the Lightning Lab app on iOS where kids can learn coding to teach the robot to navigate a maze, swim or paint, and collaborate with others around the world. It’s been a learning process, but my kids have Timmy (our robot) rolling all over the house. 

Then kids then set up a maze on the front porch, using the included tape, and programmed the SPRK+ to run the course. It’s a set it and forget it type of thing, where the kids program the distance and angle of movement. Then when they’ve mapped the entire course, the hit start and the robot does it’s thing. 

Classrooms have begun to adapt STEM activities in the classroom, and even use the SPRK+ to teach the kids programming. The robot can change colors, flash between colors and spin in place. The fun really never ends because there’s always more you can be doing with it. The kids have yet to take it in the water, but I know they’re counting on it. You can even set up a floating maze for the robot to run it’s course.

One thing we haven’t tested out yet, but I know could be tons of fun is to set the SPRK+ up to be a magic 8 ball. That’s what I’m going to have the kids do next! Tell me my future Mr SPRK+!  Best Buy carries products from basic learning games to advanced toys designed to stimulate a child’s mind in the STEM areas, helping to develop logic and problem solving skills. You can pick up an SPRK+ at Best Buy and your kids will be entertained all summer!