Coding in the Classroom May 2019

Coding in the Classroom is a project that will integrate computer science skills into core curricular areas. This project seeks to purchase 15 Sphero Bolts to be shared by more than 50 fifth and sixth grade classrooms, impacting more than 1,000 students. Spheros provide students with a hands-on opportunity to code the movements and actions of a robotic device. With this experience, students will gain a deeper understanding of blocked-based programming language, build skills in areas of critical thinking and problem solving, and learn to break large tasks into smaller sections while developing algorithms.

Coding has been described as a foreign language that all 21st century learners should be familiar; however, coding is no foreign concept among the students at our school. Even prior to the adoption of computer science standards by the State Board of Education in 2016, these fundamental skills have been prevalent in our 5th and 6th grade classrooms. Our teachers not only recognize how beneficial foundational coding skills can be to our students’ futures, but we also recognize how applicable the process of coding can be toward other curricular areas. With this grant, we seek to continue our coding momentum with the purchase of 15 Sphero Bolts, which will provide students hands-on experience with coding. The Sphero Bolts will be shared by more than 50 teachers, impacting more than 1,000 students.

Spheros are small, power-packed robotics, not much larger than the size of a baseball, that provide students with the opportunity to code movements, as well as lights and sound. In previous school years, we have had Spheros that were shared among the classes at our school; however, due to constant use, they are no longer operational. From our prior experience, we have found that the Spheros encourage students to be problem solvers and utilize critical thinking skills. Additionally, coding with the Spheros has pushed our students to think creatively and collaboratively.