The Sphero Global Challenge is back for its fifth season! This project-based competition encourages students to expand their capabilities in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) subjects while having fun in the process. Here’s a closer look at the challenge and why students should participate.
What is the Sphero Global Challenge, and Who is it For?
The Sphero Global Challenge is an inclusive opportunity for students worldwide to compete and expand their skills in STEM subjects. It’s a project-based learning program that will provide hands-on opportunities that help reinforce age-specific learning at different levels.
Students between the ages of 4-14 can participate in the competition and will be put into the following age brackets:
- 4-8 years old: Complete a project that applies basic problem-solving, algorithmic thinking, basic coding concepts, and pattern recognition.
- 8-11 years old: Apply upper elementary level skills in loops, conditionals, variables, and functions.
- 11-14 years old: Reinforce middle school levels of knowledge in loops, conditionals, variables, and functions.
Students of all knowledge levels and capabilities can participate. Even if they don’t know much about coding, the project tasks are easy to pick up and complete with basic guidance from coaches. Encouraging early STEM education has many benefits, so participating in activities like these is a terrific starting point.
When is the Sphero Global Challenge?
The fifth season officially kicks off on Sept. 24, 2024. After kickoff, participants will have between 6 to 22 weeks to complete their project, subject to location-specific competition dates and deadlines. In-person tournaments are hosted at the following locations and dates:
Regional Invitationals:
- Houston - 11/9/24
- Kansas City - 11/16/24
- Portland - 11/23/24
State Tournaments:
- Australia - 11/22/24
- Kuwait -1/18/25
- Dallas - 2/22/25
- Kansas City - 3/1/25
- Houston - 3/8/25
- Hawaii - 3/8/25
The Sphero Global Challenge is intended to offer opportunities for all elementary and middle school students worldwide. Kids who aren’t in one of these locations can still submit projects and compete virtually. All virtual submissions are due Feb. 14, 2025.
All finalists will meet for the Sphero World Championships from April 21 to May 1, 2025.
More information about important dates and in-person competitions is available here.
Why Should Students Participate in the Sphero Global Challenge?
Research increasingly shows that kids should start learning coding and other STEM skills at a young age, where they can grasp basic concepts as early as 4.
When young students begin studying these subjects, there are many opportunities to make them fun and exciting, significantly boosting learning retention. Research shows that experiential, hands-on learning boosts knowledge retention by 80 to 90% when teaching STEM subjects to kids.
Participating in the Sphero Global Challenge can similarly impact kids since it applies that same concept. All activities in the competition provide kids with hands-on experience as they work on solving fun problems. Those activities include:
- Building a time machine to follow a dinosaur around for the day.
- Taking a journey through time to complete missions in the past.
- Helping transport supplies through time and space.
Kids will feel engaged with these topics while solving interesting problems, all while picking up knowledge and skills that will help them perform better in their classes at school.
The Benefits of Group Projects
The Sphero Global Challenge is also an excellent opportunity for kids to gain experience working in groups. Projects during the competition can be completed in groups of 1-5 students, with a recommended group size of 3-5 students.
Group project experiences can enhance students' social and academic growth. Studies show that group work enhances learning experiences for up to 97% of students, whether it’s social growth working with teams or increased knowledge retention.
Project tasks simulate real work experiences kids may have throughout their lives, including working in teams, delegating tasks, and collectively finding solutions to common problems. For instance, participants are encouraged to divide groups into roles of:
- Programmer
- Engineer
- Debugger
- Designer
- Mission Manager
Breaking things up into designated roles shows how people with different specialties can work well together while giving team members a sense of control over their actions.
An Opportunity to Broaden Academic Horizons
Opportunities to learn from numerous sources, such as dual diploma programs, offer many benefits for young students.
In addition to kids’ in-school education, the Sphero Global Challenge provides an opportunity for a deeper understanding of complex STEM subjects. That way, they won't feel as intimidated when they encounter these topics in the classroom or as they move into early adulthood.
Furthermore, the projects in the competition can help students with varying learning styles. For example, approximately 30-40% of students are kinesthetic/tactile learners, which means they learn best through physical touch and hands-on projects. This makes these projects an excellent opportunity to reinforce age-specific topics in a more relevant way for those students.
Accommodating Students of All Needs Through Play-Based Learning
Many teachers and researchers find that integrating play and learning in early childhood education is highly effective. In fact, 74% of teachers already use digital game-based activities to reinforce learning in the classroom.
When students are having fun, learning doesn’t feel as intimidating. Plus, it helps them work more effectively in groups and learn essential social skills as they participate in these interactive projects.
Play-based learning and special needs education can also go hand in hand. These enjoyable environments can boost special needs students' cognitive, social, and motor development skills. That’s why students of varying needs can and should participate in the Sphero Global Challenge since it focuses on those same play-based principles.
Sign Up for the Sphero Global Challenge
Given the many benefits of fun, project-based learning, the Sphero Global Challenge is an excellent choice for helping elementary and middle school students feel more confident and capable. It builds social skills while reinforcing essential knowledge in STEM skills, leading to better performance in classes and beyond.
Registration is now open for Season 5 of the Sphero Global Challenge! Sign up today on the registration site. The final dates to sign up are two weeks before in-person competitions start and Feb. 3, 2025, for virtual submissions. For more information, see the FAQ page or contact a competition expert.
About the Author:
Jeanne Allen is an expert writer on a variety of topics, along with being the Founder and CEO of the Center for Education Reform, the nation’s leading advocate for innovation and opportunity in education. She works alongside Top Dual Diploma Programs to empower students and parents in their education decisions.
Opinions expressed by Sphero.com contributors are their own.
