Did you know that around 9,000 new AI-related jobs are available in Miami alone? Helping students prepare for a future shaped by robotics, coding, and automation isn’t just important–it’s essential. And Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) is leading the charge, using Sphero to help build career-ready K–8 classrooms that integrate STEM, critical thinking, and creativity seamlessly into everyday learning.
Regardless of your school or district size, creating a similar model is possible and a critical consideration for your students' success. Here’s how MDCPS has built a scalable and inclusive STEM program that prepares students to thrive in tomorrow’s workforce (and how you can, too!).
Lessons Learned and Overcoming Challenges
Here are MDCPS’s top tips for districts looking to implement Sphero at scale:
-
Start Small and Scale Up: Begin with a pilot program and then expand gradually, one enthusiastic teacher or school at a time.
-
Tailor Training: Offer differentiated PD to meet schools where they are in their STEM integration journeys.
-
Track Success: Collect teacher and student feedback to fine-tune your rollout and secure future funding.
-
Celebrate Loudly: From showcases to small shoutouts, keep recognition front and center to build excitement.
Most importantly, keep it fun. Whether it’s running obstacle courses with BOLT+ or reenacting stories with indi, Sphero adds excitement and creativity to core curricula.
Why STEM and Sphero?
Future careers will demand a solid foundation in the skills that naturally develop from learning coding, engineering, and robotics. Skills like problem solving, communication, critical thinking, and collaboration are vital across all industries. That’s where STEM programs come in and how Sphero’s innovative solutions are making a huge impact.
Why Sphero Stands Out:
-
Plug and Play Simplicity: Sphero’s programmable robots, like BOLT+ and indi, allow you to get started on day one. No complicated setup or extended learning curve.
-
Versatility Across Grades: From kindergartners developing computational thinking skills with the color-sensing indi to middle schoolers working on programs to bring code to life with BOLT+ and RVR+, and building working prototypes with Blueprint Engineering, Sphero scales perfectly for PK–12 classrooms and supports hands-on learning across a variety of subjects.
-
Curriculum Alignment: Sphero’s lesson plans and Educator Guides align with national and state standards and integrate seamlessly into math, science, and even ELA.
-
Career Readiness: Sphero helps students develop the critical thinking, collaboration, and teamwork skills they need in the workforce. Lessons are mapped to a specific CTE pathway.
-
Accessibility for All Learners: Sphero’s classroom-tested robots and intuitive apps make it easy for students of all abilities and learning needs to participate and succeed.
The Miami Example: MDCPS implemented Sphero district-wide because of its curriculum-rich content, emphasis on hands-on learning, and alignment with Florida’s Computer Science Standards. These tools integrate naturally into classroom lessons, replacing after-school-only, competition-driven options with inclusive opportunities to incorporate into everyday lessons for fun at school.
The Step-by-Step Rollout Success Formula
Launching a STEM program in a school district as massive as Miami-Dade (337,172 students!) is no small feat. Here’s how they did it, and how your district or school can replicate their scalable model for success.
1. Start Small, Think Big
Begin with a pilot program in select schools. MDCPS started with just 15 schools to gain buy-in and momentum before expanding. Principals identified select teachers to lead the charge, kicking off this hands-on learning initiative.
By the end of the first year, the program expanded to 35 schools. By year two, it reached 45. MDCPS achieved this growth by collecting feedback, providing consistent support, and receiving recommendations and requests for this program from schools and educators who were hearing about its success.
2. Build a Continuum for Every Grade
MDCPS created a continuum of STEM education across grade levels to ensure students are building skills year over year.
-
K-2: indi, teaching computational thinking and basic coding concepts using color tiles.
-
3-5: BOLT+, introducing block coding, problem-solving, and science integrations.
-
6-8: RVR+ & Blueprint, including advanced coding, circuits, and engineering lessons.
Sphero makes onboarding simple. By meeting educators where they were, MDCPS overcame challenges like time constraints. Sphero supports this by providing ready-to-use, free, standards-aligned lesson plans through Sphero Central, allowing teachers to quickly integrate engaging STEM activities into their existing schedules without requiring extensive prep time.
3. Provide Professional Development
Training teachers is critical to maintaining momentum. MDCPS hosts professional development (PD) at various levels, designing support cycles for school sites while tying it all back to standards alignment. Sphero offers a variety of PD options, from online, self-guided courses to onsite, in-person sessions with our team of specialists. You can choose which option works best for your schedule. There are also free Sphero webinars that offer PD certificates for attending live.
4. Secure Funding
Grants and donors can help secure funding for your STEM program. MDCPS utilized resources like Title 1 and Title 4 grants and platforms like DonorsChoose to fund its expansion. Smaller districts can follow its lead by starting small and scaling over time.
If you're looking for guidance on how to get started, Sphero offers helpful tools and resources to support your funding journey. Whether you're writing your first grant proposal or searching for available funding sources, our Funding & Grants page includes tips for crafting strong applications, lists of funding opportunities, and details on how Sphero solutions align with grant requirements.
5. Celebrate Success
What’s more motivating than seeing students and teachers succeed? MDCPS hosted competitions, community showcases, and curriculum nights to bring their work to life. One example included the Miami-Dade Youth Fair, where students showed off their coding skills and what they had been learning by running fun programs for parents and teachers to experience for themselves.
Real-World Impact and Success Stories
It’s one thing to talk about potential. It’s another to see the impact firsthand. Here’s how Sphero makes classrooms come alive in Miami-Dade schools and beyond.
Student Engagement on the Rise
Students become inventors, problem solvers, and collaborators when pairing simple coding tasks with hands-on robots. Even kindergartners confidently walk away, saying, “I’m a coder!”
Teacher Buy-In
Miami-Dade’s educators embraced the simplicity and versatility of Sphero. From rolling robots across the floor to designing advanced coding activities, teachers love how Sphero integrates seamlessly into their lessons. As one teacher put it, "You open the box, and you're ready to use it. No assembly required!"
Equity in Action
Sphero tools promoted equity in the classroom by offering accessible, screenless programming options like indi, ensuring all learners, including those with limited reading, tech experience, or device access, could engage in STEM and join the fun. Additionally, the web-based version of the Sphero Edu app removes the barrier of app installation, making it easier for students using shared or download-restricted devices, like Chromebooks, to participate.
Future-Forward Skills
The program builds STEM foundations early, using tools like indi for young learners. By high school, students gain the advanced skills needed for AI, robotics, and coding careers, opening up thousands of opportunities in Miami alone.
How to Bring Sphero to Your Schools
Ready to build similar career-ready classrooms in your district? We’ve got the resources to help:
-
Professional Development: Explore virtual and in-person training sessions.
-
Plug-and-Play Lesson Plans: Download standards-aligned, ready-to-use lessons and educator guides.
-
Funding Guidance: Access grant recommendations and tips to get started via programs like DonorsChoose.
Want to hear it straight from the source? Watch the recording of our Sphero Session with Susan Bostick, the Curriculum Support Specialist in the Innovation and School Choice Instructional Technology department for Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
Start your journey with Sphero today! Grab some time with our team to learn how we can make learning fun for you and your students.