We finished off the week with some pretty fun and engaging robots. Ollie and Sphero are fun and easy to code because (for now) students can code them on their chromebook using the Sphero Edu drag-and-drop block coding app. They are updating Sphero EDU in January, so I am hopeful we can get the updated app and continue to use it.
If all else fails, we use the iPad mini and the Sphero app to steer the Sphero using the driving app. It is not as great as block coding, but it allows students to drive the robot and determine distance and speed to get Sphero over the ramp, and we relate this back to SOL 5.3.d Force, Motion, and Energy. Students plot the course, remove obstacles, set up the ramps, and steer the robot. I was worried it wouldn't hold their attention for the entire station time, but we have not had that problem. It takes time for them to adjust to the steering, and then they plot different courses, which has them redesigning the course a few times and experimenting with different options.
Check out the station signs I have for our Ollie Robots: 5th Grade ROBOT Station. This freebie has signs, standards, and directions for this robot station.
If you like the ROBOT station, here is the sign I created for grades 3-5: You can make a copy HERE:
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