Orbotix to Inspire and Teach Kids With SPRK Education Initiative

BOULDER, CO--(Marketwired - Apr 16, 2014) - Today, connected toy maker Orbotix announced the launch of their first education program, called SPRK (pronounced spark). By fusing technology with robotics, their app-controlled toys offer a new kind of open-play and education experience.

SPRK - Schools, Parents, Robots, Kids
Orbotix created the SPRK program because play is a powerful teacher. Whether you're an educator, parent, or community organizer, SPRK lessons teach kids concepts in math, science, and programing in a fun way. The passionate objective of SPRK is to inspire and teach tomorrow's inventors and innovators.

"In ten years, if a child points back to Sphero as their inspiration to becoming an engineer, we've done our job. You can't put a price on that," says Orbotix co-founder Adam Wilson.

Inspiring Young Minds Now
In the past year, Orbotix has worked with over 50 schools and many more teachers to bring learning with Sphero closer to the classroom, including supporting clubs like Little Miss Geek. Orbotix has also donated over $50,000 worth of Spheros and resources to support these teachers, schools, and communities. And that's just the beginning. With the launch of SPRK, Orbotix has made it easy for any school or club to get started quickly on their own.

"When you incorporate tech tools that inspire, challenge, and provoke deep thinking you empower learning. Students must apply math concepts when they interact with Sphero and even if they find math challenging, they are now engaged and seek to solve problems. That's powerful," says Robin Hosemann, a teacher and educator for Evergreen and Prairie View Elementary schools in Wisconsin.

More Than Just a Toy
Teachers are not stopping at math, science, and programing, they're also using Sphero as a tool to engage kids' imagination in areas like critical thinking and storytelling. In Sphero, Orbotix has created a connected toy that can grow with a child. Kids can start by learning shapes and colors using the application Draw-N-Drive, and advance all the way up to programing with Sphero's 14 software developer kits and Low-Level API (application programing interface) documentation.

Program and Availability
Sphero can be found online and in over 6,000 storefronts worldwide. Discounts are also offered for educators. Because of this, Orbotix is set to support demand as well as allow teachers to get started quickly.

"SPRK is a partnership between us, parents, teachers, and kids," says Orbotix CEO Paul Berberian. "We want to empower teachers while engaging kids in learning."

Learn more and download the 5 Common Core aligned lessons at http://sphe.ro/sprk

About Orbotix
Orbotix creates connected toys, fusing emerging technology with the latest innovations in robotics to offer a new kind of open play experience. Founded by Ian Bernstein and Adam Wilson, passionate robotics and software engineers, Orbotix creates fun robots that bring innovative mobile and augmented reality games to your smartphone. Based in Boulder, Colorado, the Orbotix team takes fun very seriously.