The buzz of excitement was palpable as our Year 4 students dived headfirst into an exhilarating project: designing and constructing their very own robot cars powered by Sphero!

Throughout our Year 4 Design and Technologies unit, our budding engineers have rolled up their sleeves to design futuristic vehicles! All whilst documenting the Design Process in Book Creator. Students will crunch numbers, create Excel spreadsheets, and visualise their findings using charts and diagrams. This is when Math meets artistry, however, collaboration is key! At the culmination of our unit young learners will share their discoveries. This design challenge has sparked a love of learning across the cohort.

But what exactly does this design challenge entail? Keep reading for more insights!

The Design Process

1. Define the Challenge - Students grappled with the question: What challenges arise when designing a Sphero-powered car? They were encouraged to articulate the problem and explore solutions.
2. Plan, Research and Question - Students were encouraged to craft a detailed, labelled drawing of their Sphero Car. What equipment is needed? They were set the task of researching and using reliable sources. Precision matters!
3. Record - Throughout the challenge students took photos of their masterpieces and uploaded it to Book Creator. This step ensured that their design process was well-documented.
4. Design and Build - Students gathered materials to build their prototype. Collaboration was essential and this provided opportunities to build skills in teamwork.
5. Test, Evaluate and Share - It is showtime! Finally, throughout the process students will evaluate and also reflect on how their cars will perform and the changes they could make.

Before the grand ramp test, the children will be encouraged to ponder these questions:

• Which ramp will propel the Sphero the farthest? Why?
• What invisible forces at play?
• Which ramps will send the Sphero on a shorter journey? Why?

We are proud of our Year 4 students! They have shown great teamwork, creative problem-solving, and an unwavering support for each other during the design process.

Samantha Middleton | Digital Literacy Co-ordinator Prep- Year 6