Black Boys Code Los Angeles - Pathfinders: Navigation & Innovation

Workshop Overview

Our April Workshop takes students deeper into the world of intelligent robotics by introducing one of the most powerful concepts in programming: functions and modularity. Participants will learn how real engineers design efficient, scalable systems by organizing code into reusable building blocks.

Rather than repeating the same instructions over and over, students will learn how to write smarter programs that are easier to build, debug, and improve. This workshop shifts learners from simply coding robots to thinking like software engineers.

Using Sphero BOLT robots, students will build and refine programs that control movement, sensing, and communication through reusable functions. They will explore how robots can perform complex tasks, like navigating shapes, reacting to environments, and coordinating behaviors, by calling well-designed functions with different inputs.

Through hands-on challenges such as shape drawing, traffic light simulations, and modular robot behaviors, students will experience how modern robotics systems are structured for efficiency, flexibility, and teamwork.

This is a free workshop and an exciting opportunity for students to strengthen their coding skills, computational thinking, and problem-solving abilities in a fun and collaborative environment.

Workshop Activity – Functions & Modular Robotics with Sphero

Students will program Sphero robots using functions, parameters, and modular logic to create reusable and intelligent behaviors.

Materials Required

Black Boys Code will provide all required materials. Just come ready to learn and innovate.

• Laptop or tablet with the Sphero EDU app installed
• Sphero BOLT robots
• Open floor space for robotics challenges and testing

Learning Outcomes

Understand Functions in Robotics: Students will learn how functions allow robots to perform repeated tasks efficiently by writing code once and reusing it across multiple scenarios.

Use Parameters for Flexibility: Learners will apply parameters to customize robot behavior, enabling the same function to produce different outcomes (e.g., drawing different shapes or changing movement distances).

Apply Modular Programming: Participants will break down complex robot behaviors into smaller, manageable functions, improving code organization and readability.

Refactor and Improve Code: Students will transform repetitive code into clean, modular programs, understanding how real developers reduce errors and improve performance.

Build Intelligent Robot Behaviors: Learners will use functions to control movement, sensing, and decision-making, enabling robots to navigate environments and complete tasks more effectively.

Develop Problem-Solving & Collaboration Skills: Through hands-on challenges and group activities, students will test, debug, and refine their programs while working collaboratively.

If you’re unsure who your Chapter Leader is, please contact [email protected] to get connected and learn how you can support your local team.

Register Now, Space Is Limited!

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Host or Publisher Black Boys Code USA