Think about your day so far today. How many challenges have you already encountered? Did you wake up later than expected or realize you were out of coffee? Was the outfit you planned to wear wrinkled or was there a missing shoe somewhere in your house? Did you know where your keys, phone, and wallet were? Was your car’s fuel tank low?
As simple as these incidents may seem, they are all challenges or “problems” that we regularly experience and embrace to find solutions to work through them to keep our days and lives moving along.
See indi in Action
Why are Problem-Solving Skills so Important?
Problem-solving, or the ability to think critically to overcome a challenge, is not only an important educational lesson, but a vital life skill that is ideal to teach kids early in their childhood development. Learning tools, like Sphero programmable robots, are a fun way to teach critical thinking and problem-solving skills to kids, especially when they are as young as four years old.
Until now, our robots have been designed for kids in 3rd grade through high school. We realized kids in PK-2nd grade needed a robot just for them, one that worked without the need of a device. A robot that is driven and programmed through color. That’s why we created indi.
In this blog, we’ll explore what our newest robot for kids is, what they learn with indi, and how it works. Let’s dive in!
What is indi?
Sphero indi is the most approachable, entry-level, learning robot for kids. indi inspires imaginative play-based learning by empowering kids to design and build their own mazes while teaching critical problem-solving and computational thinking skills, without the use of an app or screen.
What Do Kids Learn with indi?
indi was born based on insights from educators and parents who expressed the need for an approachable learning robot for younger kids. Since indi provides a screenless programming and learning experience, a device like a tablet, smartphone, or computer, isn’t required. indi is the ideal learning robot for kids because the offline physical programming experience is incredibly fun and engaging.
The color card programming is an interactive experience that allows kids to move freely and continuously collaborate, while learning the basics of problem solving, cause and effect, and computational thinking.
With indi kids will:
- Learn skills such as colors, pattern recognition, directions, cause and effect, problem solving, and computational thinking
- Be inspired through open-ended, imaginative play-based learning with real-life scenarios
- Be nurtured to explore and create - kids’ natural instincts
-
So much more - the only limit is their imaginations!
How Does indi Work?
With its onboard color sensor and color tiles, indi provides endless opportunities to rev kids’ creativity with or without the need of an app. With the included color tiles, kids can build custom mazes, solve puzzles, and take control of the wheel to drive.
DESIGN AND BUILD: Problem solve like an engineer, design and build custom mazes for indi to navigate
APPROACHABLE: Perfect for early learners (PK-2nd grade), but easily scales to introduce coding and STEAM concepts to all ages
SCREENLESS LEARNING & APP-ENABLED: Learn the basics of programming with the included color cards or level up with Sphero’s all new drag and drop blocks in the free Sphero Edu Jr app
SPARK CREATIVITY: Customize your indi with stickers and encourage creative expression by creating mazes and endless pathways
DRIVE CONTROL: Control how indi reacts to the world with a screenless or app-enabled driving experience
FUN: Enjoy hours of play and interaction - the best way to understand the joy it delivers is to watch the experience in action
Learn with indi in the Classroom or at Home
indi Class Pack
Take your whole class on the road to STEAM learning with the indi Class Pack. The indi Class Pack provides educators with all the resources and tools needed to get an entire class up and running with indi robots.
The indi Class Pack Includes:
- 8 indi robots
- 8 Durable student cases
- 1 Classroom tote bag
- 1 Charging case to charge and store 8 indi robots
- 1 Standards-aligned Educator Guide Book
- 8 sets of 20 Durable silicone color tiles (20 per student case)
- 8 Sets of 15 Beginner’s Programming Challenge Cards (15 per student case)
- 8 Charging cables
- 2 Sets of 30 replacement color cards
- 4 adhesive sticker sheets to secure color cards
- 1 Decorative sticker sheet for students to customize indi
Order the indi Class Pack
indi Student Kit
The indi Student Kit is a complete learning solution designed to engage 1-3 students at a time, ideal for taking home for continued learning, or expanding the offering of your indi Class Pack.
The indi Student Kit Includes:
- 1 robot
- 1 charging cable
- 1 Student case
- 15 Beginner’s Programming Challenge Cards
- 20 durable silicone color tiles
- 2 Decorative sticker sheets to customize indi
- 1 Quick start guide
Order the indi Student Kit
The Sphero Edu Jr app
When kids have learned the basics of programming with the included color tiles and are ready to level up, Sphero’s all new drag and drop blocks in the free Sphero Edu Jr app is a natural next step. Sphero Edu Jr, designed specifically for indi, provides app-connected capabilities that allow indi to grow with kids’ skill levels.
In Sphero Edu Jr, kids can control how indi reacts to the world through intuitive yet powerful programming blocks or enhance computational thinking skills by creating new patterns and solving more complex puzzles.
Sphero Edu Jr Device Compatibility
Order indi Today!
The indi Student Kit and indi Class Pack are now available. If you have additional indi questions or would like to schedule a demo, contact a Sphero Education Specialist today!
