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Session 2: Sphero Sensors 📡

Overview

Grades: 5-6 | Duration: 45 minutes | Session: 2 of 17

Students explore advanced sensor capabilities of Sphero BOLT, creating programs that respond to environmental conditions.

Session 2: Sphero Sensors

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, students will:

  • Understand various Sphero BOLT sensors

  • Program sensor-based responses

  • Create adaptive robot behaviors

  • Debug sensor programming

Session 2: Sphero Sensors

Materials Needed

  • 🤖 Sphero BOLT robots (from CSCOE library)

  • 📱 Tablets with Sphero Edu

  • 🔦 Flashlights (for light sensor)

  • 📓 Engineering journals

  • 🏁 Test environment

Catholic Integration

Saint Connection

St. Faustina Kowalska — She was attuned to God's presence, sensing divine mercy. Our robots sense their environment; we can sense God's love!

Scripture

"The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." — Psalm 145:18

Opening Prayer

Dear God, you created us with senses to experience your world. Help us program robots that respond intelligently to their environment, just as we respond to your presence in our lives. Amen.

Lesson Procedure

Opening Circle (6 minutes)

  1. Sensors = Robot Senses:
  2. How do YOU sense the world? (5 senses)
  3. Robots have sensors too!
  4. Sphero BOLT Sensors:
  5. Light sensor — Detects brightness
  6. Gyroscope — Detects rotation/orientation
  7. Accelerometer — Detects movement/collision
  8. Compass — Detects direction
  9. IR (infrared) — Communicates with other Spheros
  10. Why Sensors Matter:
  11. Makes robots responsive
  12. Enables autonomous behavior
  13. Real-world robots use these!

Main Activity: Sensor Programming (31 minutes)

Part 1: Light Sensor Exploration (10 minutes)

Challenge A: Light Follower

  • Program Sphero to respond to light:
  • Bright light → Move forward

  • Dim/dark → Stop or turn

  • Use light sensor blocks in Sphero Edu

  • Test with flashlight

Challenge B: Day/Night Mode

  • Different behaviors based on light level:
  • Bright: Fast, white LED
  • Medium: Slow, yellow LED
  • Dark: Stop, blue LED (sleeping!)

Part 2: Gyroscope & Accelerometer (10 minutes)

Challenge C: Collision Response

  • When Sphero hits something:
  • Back up
  • Turn random direction

  • Try again

  • Creates autonomous navigation!

Challenge D: Shake Detector

  • Pick up and shake Sphero

  • Trigger special response:

  • Lights flash
  • Sound plays
  • Special movement

Part 3: Combined Sensor Challenge (8 minutes)

Challenge E: Smart Navigator

  • Combine multiple sensors:
  • Move toward light
  • Avoid obstacles (collision)

  • Keep heading straight (compass)

  • This is how real autonomous robots work!

Part 4: Demo & Share (3 minutes)

  • Show your best sensor program

  • Explain the logic

  • Discuss challenges solved

Engineering Journal (5 minutes)

  1. Draw your sensor program flowchart
  2. Sensors used: ___
  3. Behaviors created: ___
  4. Write: "Sensors make robots smart because..."
  5. Debugging story: What problem did you solve?

Closing Circle (3 minutes)

  1. Favorite Sensor — "Which sensor was most interesting?"
  2. Real-World Connection — "Where do you see sensors in daily life?"
  3. Closing Prayer — "God, thank you for our senses and the ability to create responsive technology. Help us use these skills to serve others. Amen."

Assessment

Observation Checklist:

  • Programmed with multiple sensors

  • Created responsive behaviors

  • Debugged sensor programs

  • Understood sensor purposes

Differentiation

For Students Who Need Support

  • Focus on one sensor at a time

  • Template programs to modify

  • Partner work

For Advanced Students

  • All sensors combined

  • Create sensor-based game

  • Program Sphero-to-Sphero IR communication

Wonder at Home 🏠

Family Activity: Sensor hunt! Find sensors in your home: motion detectors, light sensors, thermostats, phones. Discuss: How do these make devices "smart"? Research autonomous vehicles and their sensors!

Teacher Notes

  • Reserve Sphero BOLTs from CSCOE

  • Ensure tablets charged and Sphero Edu installed

  • Light sensor works best with contrasting conditions

  • Have backup batteries ready

Previous: Session 1 — Engineering Thinking
Next: Session 3 — Architecture