No one really wants to relive the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 and 2021.   However, we are finding that since that stressful time in our nation, our youth has been more stressed than before.   Today’s children are under a massive amount of stress, and it is well-documented that heavy stress has negative effects on their mental development (Columbia University).  

According to Columba University College of Engineering, coding combined with elements of visual language, use of creativity, and problem-solving provides youth develops the mechanisms needed to handle stress.   Coding allows students to create content and gives them the room to think freely.  It creates an atmosphere where youth increase their ability to work as a team and gain better collaborative skills.  

For 6 weeks, Jefferson County 4-H partnered with the state 4-H SET office by utilizing their classroom set of Spheros.  Spheros are programmable robots that help kids learn fundamental STEM concepts through play-based learning and educational STEAM activities. You can use Sphero robots to play games, create programs, or complete challenges. Sphero robots are not limited to STEAM, add them into any classroom curriculum for a fun twist on learning (Mantz).  Eight to ten middle school students stayed after school for 6 weeks to participate in this program.  During this 6-week program, students programmed their Sphero to draw a digital picture, create an animated emoji, design, create, and execute an obstacle course, and made their story come to life using Sphero.

Based on our oral evaluation, youth who participated in this 6-week program felt empowered and had better self-confidence.   Confidence and empowerment were found because they were given the opportunity to express themselves in alternative ways that they felt were good and inclusive.  One of the students said that the coding activities allowed him to express himself creatively and sparked an interest in coding or technology as a future career. 

Columbia University.   Columbia Engineering Boot Camp. https://bootcamp.cvn.columbia.edu/blog/how-coding-provides-skills-that-can-help-children-cope-with-distress/ . 

 Mantz, Kamrey. Sphero News. What is Sphero? The Who, What, and Why. https://sphero.com/blogs/news/what-is-sphero . Jun 07, 2021