ROBOTICS – THE SPHERO GLOBAL CHALLENGE
Hands-on STEM learning, solving problems, thinking creatively, and working as a team to achieve a breakthrough.
The Sphero Global Challenge at the Energy Breakthrough is a STEM competition that invites students to engage in computational thinking, engineering, and programming skills through Sphero robots.
What is the program?
Through creativity, innovation, and teamwork, students are asked to solve problems and program their robots to accomplish missions.
There’s no other Australian event that is part of the Sphero Global Challenge: the ultimate Robotics competition where winners will progress through to the World Championships!
The Sphero Global Challenge is an opportunity for students to go deeper with computational thinking, engineering, and programming skills.
It challenges learners to become master programmers, stealthy problem solvers, and top-notch teammates. With Mission Objectives designed for student agents of all ability levels, learners will grow and have a blast on this undercover adventure.
The ultimate STEM competition where students go deeper with computational thinking, engineering, and programming skills.
Each season revolves around a specific theme that provides context for the missions and challenges students need to complete. The theme for the 2024 season was “Sphero Time Travelers.”
Students will compete in groups of five in a series of rapid-fire missions across one day. Lunch is provided for all participants and a chance to debrief with judges about the missions. Teams of all abilities are encouraged to work together to identify problems and develop solutions centered around the year’s theme.
Most excitingly, teams will have the opportunity to compete not only at Maryborough in November, but the winners can elect to go onto the World Championships! Teams can travel to the finals, but more likely to compete virtually.
Which students can take part?
WHICH STUDENTS CAN TAKE PART?
Teams
- Teams will require 2 x Sphero Bolt robots and tablets (more info below)
- Teams will consist of 5 x members
- At least 2 team members must be females
- Teams will be supported by online tutorials
Schools & Teachers
- The challenge can be done with class groups or coding clubs etc.
- Teachers don’t have to be “Coding Gurus”
- Different requirements for Primary and Secondary teams
- Lots of support for teachers
- Free Professional Development programs will be conducted around the state.
- Contact Rob if you are interested in hosting one of these events, 60 – 90 mins after school.
What do we need?
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
Using Sphero’s BOLT and Blueprint, students complete fun and challenging missions while learning different skills, including Loops, Conditionals, Variables and Functions.
- Entry via the MyEB portal to receive your Sphero Global Challenge kit via the Energy Breakthrough.
(IMPORTANT: Please DO NOT register directly with the Sphero Global Challenge website. The Energy Breakthrough team will provide you with your access code AFTER you enter through the MyEB portal.) - 2 x Sphero BOLT robots per group (sold separately)
- 1 x Sphero Global Challenge Season 5 Blueprint Kit (sold separately)
- 1 x BOLT Maze and Grid Mat (recommended not required; Coaching Guide provides alternatives & printable instructions)
- 1 x 6′ x 9’ hard & flat surface for the Competition Field + materials for marking the field
- 1 x Video recording device (such as a smartphone)
- 2 x programming devices with the Sphero Edu app installed
SPHERO BOLT
SPHERO BOLT
Sphero BOLT is an app-enabled robotic ball. It features a programmable LED matrix, advanced sensors, and infrared communication. Students code it with drawing, blocks, or JavaScript in the Sphero Edu app for interactive learning and play.
SPHERO BLUEPRINT
SPHERO BLUEPRINT
The Sphero Blueprint is a modular engineering system. It includes easy-to-assemble mechanical parts enabling hands-on design and building of working prototypes to learn engineering concepts without programming.
Where can I learn more?
WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?
We’re here to help you and your team get to the start line.
The Team Manager’s Hub has all the key resources you need to get your school ready to compete at the Energy Breakthrough.
Click below to view the latest specifications, guides, checklists and other key information.
An education-first program for schools of all shapes and sizes, with vast benefits across a range of curriculum areas.
The Robotics program engages students in fun and rewarding STEM subjects, as well as many personal and social capability components of the Victorian Curriculum.
Click through to our Curriculum hub, where we detail the areas of education and provide ready-made program plans and curriculum resources.
Sphero Global Challenge – Season 4 Highlights
How can we get involved?
HOW CAN WE GET INVOLVED?
To get started in Robotics at the Energy Breakthough, please complete the form below and our dedicate category coordinator – Rob Higgins – will contact you.
REGISTER NOW
If you’re ready to submit your team’s entry, please enter a ‘Robotics’ team via the MyEB portal.
(IMPORTANT: Please DO NOT register directly with the Sphero Global Challenge website. The Energy Breakthrough team will provide you with your access code AFTER you enter through the MyEB portal.)
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