Discover how the updated XRP (Experiential Robotics Platform) is transforming STEM education!
As robotics becomes a core component of STEM education, teachers and mentors are looking for scalable, flexible, and engaging tools to introduce students to real-world engineering and programming. The Experiential Robotics Platform (XRP) is SparkFun's answer to this need. It is a low-cost, open-source robotics kit built on the Raspberry Pi RP2040 with advanced capabilities for classrooms, camps, and robotics teams.
The latest version of the XRP robot is packed with upgrades that make it a game-changing option for educators:
These upgrades are based on educator and student feedback from the beta release, ensuring the platform continues to meet real classroom needs.
The XRP robot is designed to eliminate technical barriers, allowing students to focus on creative problem-solving, coding, and design thinking. Educators can use XRP in a variety of learning environments:
To support summer programs and outreach efforts, SparkFun, FIRST, and educators have collaborated on Orbit Odyssey, a fully open-source robotics game designed for the XRP platform. It includes:
This camp guide provides teams and educators with a ready-to-deploy solution that builds student confidence and teaches real-world engineering strategies in a fun and engaging format.
Educators can tailor XRP to fit a variety of educational settings:
You can implement XRP with minimal programming background (block coding) or expand it with Python and vision-based AI tools. Most hardware is 3D printable or repurposable from FTC parts, making it easy and affordable to maintain and repair.
Teachers across the country are already using XRP to transform how students engage with robotics:
Whether you’re starting a new robotics class, running a camp, or prepping a team for competition, XRP gives you the tools to make STEM more accessible, hands-on, and fun.