Maze Madness Sparks STEM Learning and Robot Races at Humphreys Middle School
CAMP HUMPHREYS, SOUTH KOREA – What do creativity, coding, and high-speed robot races have in common? At Humphreys Middle School, these things all came together during an exciting hands-on activity known as Maze Madness. This STEM-focused challenge gave students the opportunity to learn programming, practice spatial reasoning, and engage in some friendly competition—with the help of Sphero Bolt robots.
In this project, students were tasked with designing their own robot mazes on a 90x36-inch map. Each team had to think critically about design elements like width, pathing, and problem-solving—making sure their maze was navigable while also incorporating ten “treasure spots” for extra points during the races. Over the course of a week, students worked collaboratively to build out their unique mazes using classroom materials and creative thinking.
“It was fun to make mazes and problem-solve with the Sphero Bolts,” said seventh grade student Jhon A.
The excitement didn’t end with construction. Once the maps were complete, students rotated through each other’s mazes, driving the Sphero Bolts through obstacle-filled paths in a timed challenge. They tested, gave feedback, refined their strategies, and raced toward the title of Maze Madness Champion.
"It was really exciting to see students so engaged in problem-solving and discussing coding with each other," said Mrs. Shin, Information Specialist.
This interactive project was made possible thanks to a generous gift from the U.S. Naval Academy: a full class set of Sphero Bolts. These advanced robotic spheres combine app-enabled coding with real-time movement, allowing students to explore computer science principles in a tangible and engaging way. Their delivery to HMS was coordinated by Ms. Allison Lewis, the STEM Instructional Support Specialist for DoDEA’s Pacific West District.
For students, Maze Madness was more than a race—it was a memorable journey into the world of robotics, critical thinking, and collaboration.
