It is one of the most important golf weeks of the year and, with one of the most anticipated annual sporting events getting underway, we thought it was a perfect time to introduce you to one of the newest tech tools on our store. If you are planning on watching the Masters this weekend, maybe you’ll get inspired by some of the science and math that goes into a perfect putt or the most powerful drive and, if you do, the Sphero Mini Golf Kit might be something you’ll want to try. Modeled off the Sphero Mini Robot, the kit comes with the redesigned Sphero Mini, which looks like a golf ball. And, kids could drive, program, and play with it as they try to sink their own hole-in-one!
Golf fan or not, kids can use this new version of the Sphero Mini to design cool projects and experiments. The Mini Golf Robot includes the same components and movements as the Sphero Mini with a gyroscope, accelerometer, and LEDs. Like all your other options in the line of Sphero Robots, the Mini Golf bot is also compatible with both the Sphero Play and Sphero Edu apps and pairs with student devices via a Bluetooth connection. Depending on if kids are in the mood for play-based experimentation and games or they want to create any programs, they can choose the best app to use (the Sphero Edu app is more for educational experiences like learning how to code).
For kids who like being creative, the Sphero Mini Golf set is really conducive to combining technology and art. Just think of an actual mini golf course. Many of those holes are very unique with various obstacles for players to navigate when aiming to sink their ball. Using simple household items, like paper, tape, or some small toys, students could first create their own putting greens complete with an area for “teeing off,” sand traps, and, of course, the flag and the hole. If they want to get extra creative, they can try cutting an actual hole in some paper and have it hang off the edge of their table. Then, when they get their robot in the hole, it looks like it’s really sunk!
Using the Sphero Play app, students can control their “golf ball’s” movements in three different ways—the same three options for experimenting with the original Sphero Mini. They can use joystick, slingshot, or tilt mode—whichever one they find to be the most fun! What kids see on the screen of their device is reflected in the movements their robot makes. They can even wind up like they're swinging a golf club and then their Mini should roll towards the hole! Sphero Play is better suited for younger kids and those who have not had a lot of coding experience. They can use it to get comfortable with controlling the robot and, when they are ready, use it with a more advanced version of the drive mode—block drive—which provides an introduction to coding. The Sphero Play app is available on iOS, Android, and Fire OS devices.
The Sphero Edu app is a lot more educational and students can use it to work on their coding skills. Since the Mini Golf robot is easy to control, students can create all sorts of programs to help it find its way to the hole. They can also find Sphero Mini Golf activities within the app and Sphero's team adds projects almost every week. The Sphero Edu app is accessible from iOS, Fire OS, macOS, Android, Chrome, and Windows devices. And, it also offers a whole bunch of options for kids to use at home.
Once kids are comfortable, they can then explore the dozens of activities within the Sphero Edu app. The lessons cover various content areas and academic subjects and provide something fun for students of all skill levels. Lessons include using the draw feature to incorporate shapes and spelling into programs, then progressing to blocks starting with loops! To explore these guided lessons to use with the Mini Golf Robot, find them here.
Beyond using a device to control the robot's movements, kids can use the Mini Golf Robot to control their device! Yup, with the Sphero Play app, kids can play some of the built-in games and control the outcomes as they hold their robot up to the screen and watch as their character mimics the movements of the actual robot! The learning games include dodging and destroying asteroids, racing through a rotating tunnel, and smashing bricks. Even though it looks like a golf ball, the Sphero Mini Golf Robot is actually very versatile. It even allows students to experience robotics and technology in a bunch of fun and engaging ways!
With so much learning now happening at home, the Mini Golf Kit is fantastic for learning about coding and robotics. It’s also great for just playing around and seeing what types of creative courses they can build! To learn more about the Mini Golf Kit, browse our store, where you can find all our additional Sphero offerings. If you have questions about these kits or about the Sphero mobile apps, feel free to contact us. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram too so you’re always up to date on the latest from the EdTech world!