A teenage girl looks frustrated as she sits at her desk at home looking at a tablet and taking notes.
At HomeSphero Team

How to Re-engage and Motivate Remote Learners in the New Year

As we enter 2021, we begin a new year and a new semester for remote learners. Many students throughout the United States are heading back to remote learning environments after their holiday break. That leads parents and educators to wonder how they can promote re-engagement and motivation for students at a time when remote learning burnout can be at an all-time high.
A teenage girl looks frustrated as she sits at her desk at home looking at a tablet and taking notes.
At HomeSphero Team

How to Re-engage and Motivate Remote Learners in the New Year

As we enter 2021, we begin a new year and a new semester for remote learners. Many students throughout the United States are heading back to remote learning environments after their holiday break. That leads parents and educators to wonder how they can promote re-engagement and motivation for students at a time when remote learning burnout can be at an all-time high.
A boy wears a littleBits invention on his head.
At SchoolSphero Team

Invention Literacy and How it Applies to STEM Education

People design and construct the objects that we interact with daily. From computer code to electronics to brick and mortar, the next generation of builders, designers, leaders, and thinkers must understand how digital and physical objects in our world come to fruition. This way, they'll feel confident to design and build their own.
A girl programs her Sphero BOLT with a laptop by herself.
At HomeAmanda Vaden

Sphero Webinar: Actively Engaging Distance Learners

Happy New Year, everyone! (We can still celebrate 13 days in, right?!) We're kicking off 2021 with an awesome webinar topic, lead by three of our veteran Sphero Heroes. Join us for tips and ideas on how to actively engage your distance learners.

Learn computers science with Sphero in two simple steps.
At SchoolJorge Valenzuela

2 Simple Ways to Learn Computer Science with Sphero

Helping teachers integrate computational thinking and computer science (CS) into their Project Based Learning (PBL) units is a BIG part of my coaching work with schools and districts throughout the US. So, whether my sessions cover coding, STEM learning at home, or reinforcing math skills with robots, I require reliable tools for helping teachers build their content knowledge and CS practice in useful and systematic ways.
A boy sits at his desk with a frustrated look on his face as he rests his head on his hands.
At HomeSphero Team

How Play-Based Learning Can Help Students With Special Needs

At Sphero, we understand how difficult it’s been to keep special needs students on track during a global pandemic, which is why we are here to talk about guided play-based learning. 
A girl in a plaid shirt sits in front of a computer at her desk in a classroom.
At SchoolAndrea Wilson Vazquez

How Social-Emotional Learning and Computer Science are Interconnected

When you think about the skills developed by computer science and STEM, what kinds of skills come to mind? Certainly technical skills, but also skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, perseverance, and project management! These are examples of social-emotional learning (SEL) skills that support students to make confident choices in academics and beyond. 
A boy sits at his desk at home and works independently on an assignment.
At HomeSphero Team

Autonomous vs. Asynchronous Learning: What's the Difference?

Online and hybrid learning approaches are quickly growing in popularity as schools continue to temporarily close  or limit capacity. Not only does this form of education feature schedule-friendly options, but students and teachers also relish being able to incorporate self-directed, autonomous learning, or asynchronous learning activities.
There are 4 Types of Learning Styles.
At HomeSphero Team

4 Types of Learning Styles: Explaining the VARK Model

If you have a kid or student that’s being educated in a blended classroom or hybrid learning environment for the first time, chances are they could be feeling a bit lost. 
Celebrate CSEdWeek with Sphero and littleBits!
At HomeAmanda Vaden

New Sphero & littleBits Hour of Code Activities for CSEdWeek

It’s the first day of the greatest week of the year. (Though, we may be slightly biased…) It’s CSEdWeek! We’re excited to share two new activities with you designed especially for this special week. 
The Sphero Heroes STEM education ambassador program logo.
Sphero NewsAmanda Vaden

Sphero Heroes Class of 2021

Superstar educators, become a Sphero Hero! The application to join is officially open. Whether you’re a Sphero robot specialist or a littleBits circuits connoisseur, we want you to be a part of our team. Learn more about our STEM/STEAM teacher ambassador program here.
A boy holds a smiling face sign up to his face. A frown is on the sign in his other hand.
At HomeSphero Team

Use This Mood Tracker to Follow Your Kid's Learning Experience & Mood (Free Worksheet)

If your learner is participating in a virtual or hybrid learning environment, it can be difficult to gauge their progress and mood — especially if ...
A father and his two daughters work on a science activity at the kitchen table.
At HomeAmanda Vaden

Family STEM Activities

These days, more and more families with kids are looking for ways to be entertained and stay engaged at home or close to home, all while being able to share fun experiences and make lasting new memories. If you’re a parent reading this blog and are pondering what to do for your next family activity night, consider integrating some of these STEM-based ideas and you may learn something new in the process! 
A woman and a girl sit on the couch looking at a tablet together.
At HomeKelly Gray

Using Screens to Build a Better Toolkit

recent Ipsos Mori survey shows that shared screen time is up 37% year-over-year, though my personal experience would put that number far higher. Needing to find a way to work and parent from home full time has turned this into a necessary tool in my arsenal. Even the woman who wrote the book on screen time is changing her tune.