Using the XRP Robot to Transform STEM Education in Classrooms and Camps
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.
Why the XRP Robot?
The latest version of the XRP robot is packed with upgrades that make it a game-changing option for educators:
- Built on Raspberry Pi RP2350 technology, featuring major hardware enhancements.
- Massive RAM and Flash expansion ideal for audio, image, and AI applications.
- Dual Qwiic connectors for seamless sensor integration.
- Open-source 3D-printable components available via Onshape and Printables.
- Free curriculum from WPI and flexible camp guides to support your teaching.
- Perfectly suited for 5th grade through high school students.
These upgrades are based on educator and student feedback from the beta release, ensuring the platform continues to meet real classroom needs.
$119.95
Built for the Classroom
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:
- Middle school and high school engineering classes
- After-school robotics clubs and STEM outreach events
- Summer camps featuring open-source game content like Orbit Odyssey
- First-time programming experiences using block coding or MicroPython
- Introductions to AI and vision processing with the HuskyLens module
- Preparation for FIRST Tech Challenge and other robotics competitions
Orbit Odyssey: Open-Source Camp & Outreach Game
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:
- 17 modular lessons covering robotics, engineering design, and professionalism
- Game field CAD files on Onshape and Printables
- Printable student worksheets and classroom management tools
- A points-based challenge format that mirrors real competitions but in a low-pressure setting
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.
Easy to Scale and Customize
Educators can tailor XRP to fit a variety of educational settings:
- Short 5-hour STEM workshops
- 14-hour week-long summer camps
- Full 35-hour semester-long engineering courses
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.
Real-World Impact
Teachers across the country are already using XRP to transform how students engage with robotics:
- In Colorado, a middle school teacher used XRP with over 250 students to teach design, programming, and engineering using Tinkercad.
- A FIRST mentor grew a robotics program from one team to over 10 by introducing XRP in outreach camps.
- Students using XRP are joining FIRST teams better prepared, having already mastered autonomous behavior, game strategy, and collaborative design.
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.
