This document contains summaries from two programs using educational robots - Ozobots and Spheros. For the Ozobot program, the facilitator discussed how Ozobots work and had kids practice drawing line codes to control the bots' movements. Younger kids benefited from a practice sheet. For Spheros, the facilitator planned to teach tablet connection, try apps like Draw n' Drive, and possibly add coding or obstacle courses for 4th-8th graders.

1. Spheros
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Ozobots
Cost: Level of difficulty: Age group: All ages
Size of group: 24 kids Program duration: 1 hour
Prep time: Low-Medium Staffing: 1-2 people
Equipment: Ozobots, Markers (red, green, black, blue), paper
For this program, I started by talking about how Ozobot works. I give the
kids lots of paper and had them work in pairs with a bot. I give them a
sheet of the different code combinations and have them practice trying to
get Ozobot to zig-zag, spin, or go turbo! Be sure to talk to the kids about
how to draw the line and the codes, this is what they struggle with the
most. For the youngers kids, a practice sheet for lines is a great thing to
provide because drawing straight, thicker lines is pretty tricky.
-Alison Tseng, atseng@aapld.org
Cost: Level of difficulty: Age group: All ages
Size of group: 12 kids Program duration: 1 hour
Prep time: Medium—High Staffing: 1-2 people
Equipment: Spheros and tablets
The Spheros are a new edition to my library. I will be doing my first program
with the Spheros later this month. My plan is to begin by teaching the kids how
to use the Spheros and connect them to the tablet. Then have the kids try one
of the many Sphero apps available (probably Draw n’ Drive). I would like to
incorporate obstacle courses or a coding element to the program as well. The program will be for 4th—8th
grade. I will be doing another program for K-3 in a couple of months and will incorporate an app like Color
Grab instead of the coding.
-Alison Tseng, atseng@aapld.org