BCS Advantage Magazine Special Edition #9 | Page 19

Sphero Heroes
By Benjamin Rickert, Communications Department
Miniature robots are roaming the halls of Valley Springs Middle School
thanks to a generous grant from Duke Energy, the Buncombe County
Schools Foundation, and local families! In Ms. Cathy Belair’s seventh-
grade classroom, students are programming tiny mobile device controlled
Sphero robots to perform a number of tasks as part of their mathematics
curriculum. It is one more innovative way that Buncombe teachers are
incorporating STEM concepts and resources into the everyday student
experience.
Belair was the county Teacher of the Year in 2017, and her award-winning
classroom strategies are as effective today as ever. She is thrilled with the
results of the recent Donors Choose effort, and hopes the new robotics
project will spark student interest in exploring technology, as well as help
them develop a love for the process of learning.
Sarah and Harper explore the Sphero
“My new seventh-grade classes are full of diverse learners from a wide- app options to see what it can do.
range of social economic statuses, who all have lots of energy and a desire
to learn,” said Belair. “They seem anxious to apply new
strategies and techniques to this year’s curriculum, and I
hope to motivate them to meet our goals!”
At Valley Springs, the use of Spheros will reinforce
foundational math concepts, such as ratios and
proportions, algebraic equations and inequalities, angle
measures, circumference, and statistics. As students
program the robots, they will also integrate standards
relating to time, speed, and distance.
Christopher, Edward, Cole, and Gus race their ‘bots
as Angel and Alejandro look on.
In pursuing the grant, the Sphero Heroes project set out
four classroom goals: First, students will learn to code
Spheros to perform specific tasks. Second, Belair will create
lessons to introduce, explore, and summarize learning of
specific NC Mathematical Standards. Third, students will
gain experience in key mathematical practices, such as
abstract and quantitative reasoning, and mathematical
modeling. Fourth, students will practice 21st Century
skills, including creativity and innovation, critical thinking
and problem solving, collaboration, and communication.
Belair explained that regularly involving Spheros in her
classroom will reinforce learning “for students at all levels by
increasing personal motivation through challenging, hands-
on STEM activities that support cross-curriculum learning.”
“This is engaged learning at its best,” Belair said.
Dennis is ready to drive his robot through the
obstacle course.
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