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Sphero And littleBits Join Forces To Become The Edtech Market Leader And Accelerate Play-Based Learning For KidsBOULDER, Colo. and NEW YORK, Aug. 23, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Sphero, the leading robotics and educational STEAM company, and littleBits, the company that invented the electronic building block, today announced that they are joining forces to become the #1 STEAM and coding solution for every classroom, living room, and after-school program around the world. Over the past nine years, Sphero and littleBits have each created entirely new categories of hands-on learning tools that enable invention and STEAM education through play and technology. Combined, the two companies have reached over six million students and 65,000 teachers across 35,000 schools globally — and have sold more than $500 million in Sphero robots and littleBits kits. Today, littleBits joins Sphero to advance their common mission — inspiring the creators and inventors of tomorrow. Through this acquisition, Sphero becomes the largest player in its market. With a comprehensive offering of hardware, software, curriculum, and training, it is positioned to shape the $150 billion education technology industry. Sphero, with the addition of the littleBits line, will now feature a portfolio of over 140 patents in robotics, electronics, software, and the Internet of Things. Teachers will have access to hundreds of thousands of community-generated inventions and activities, and over a thousand lessons tied to NGSS, CSTA and Common Core standards. Sphero and littleBits will also rally their enthusiastic and loyal networks of distinguished educators around the world that they've cultivated through thei ambassador programs – with over 67 Sphero Heroes and 50 littleBits Bitstar Educators. "Sphero and littleBits are on a mission to make hands-on learning fun and memorable," said Paul Berberian, Sphero's CEO. "Together, we're able to make an even greater impact by delivering the best possible solution — whether it is programming a robot to solve a maze or building an electronic music synthesizer. There are infinite learning possibilities — and they're all fun." According to a Harris poll1, 91% of teachers say they would like to integrate more hands-on learning in their classes, and research shows that students who enjoy weekly hands-on learning activities fare 40-70% better in science, math and other subjects2. "When I studied engineering, it was top down, test-based," said Ayah Bdeir, founder of littleBits. "I hated it and wanted to quit every semester. Then I got exposed to the pedagogy of learning through play and my life changed; no one could peel me away from learning, inventing, creating. Together, littleBits and Sphero are now bringing this experience to kids everywhere." With this deal, Sphero plans to accelerate international growth and acquire other products and companies to further expand its portfolio of STEAM products and tools. The company will have offices in Boulder, New York, and Hong Kong with Paul Berberian as CEO. Ayah Bdeir will be moving on from littleBits to pursue her next adventure. ABOUT SPHERO: ABOUT LITTLEBITS: 1 https://theharrispoll.com/global-confidence-poll-executive-summary/ 2 The National Assessment of Educational progress View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sphero-and-littlebits-join-forces-to-become-the-edtech-market-leader-and-accelerate-play-based-learning-for-kids-300906475.html SOURCE Sphero |