The Sphero Computer Science Foundations (CSF) is a supplemental, standards-aligned curriculum designed to be taught in the classroom alongside our robots. CSF teaches steam principles through computer science over three 24-lesson courses. Each cross-curricular lesson builds on the previous one and allows teachers and students to grow together.

Course 1 will help students become more familiar with Sphero Edu. We’ll start with the Draw Canvas and then introduce them to the Block Canvas where they’ll practice beginning and intermediate block programming. Students will use their Sphero robots to create and run programs involving shapes, numbers, art, and nature.

By the end of the course, students will demonstrate proficiency with the Draw Canvas and know how to use block programs to manipulate lights and sounds and create loops and conditionals.

Course 2 is designed for students who have some experience with Sphero Edu and are ready to dive right into block programming. We’ll quickly review beginning Block Canvas topics, advance into intermediate blocks and then touch on JavaScript programming. Students will use their Sphero robots to learn and practice empathy, game design, and storytelling.

By the end of this course, students will demonstrate a mastery of block programming by manipulating sensors, loops, conditionals, variables, and functions. They will also understand block to text transitions.

Course 3 will review intermediate and advanced block programming and then give students a primer on JavaScript. Students will program their Sphero robots to explore navigation, missions, and riddles.

By the end of this course, students will be able to develop complex programs with the Block Canvas and rewrite simple block programs in JavaScript.