RVR™ Sphero Robotics Mission
U15 Division
Driving & Sensors
Get to Know The Program
The RVR Sphero Robotics Mission is a middle school robotics competition for students in grades 6 through 8. Teams build onto a Sphero RVR+ robot drive base, code it, and operate it through themed Missions. The 2026-27 Missions theme is Smart City: Where students build technology to keep a modern city moving, connected, and ready for tomorrow.
The Missions require them to write their code, build their attachments and maximize each challenge. RVR Missions is designed for the oldest of the Missions age groups and centers on advanced coding, introductory mechanical design, and sensor work.
What Students Learn
Every program is Student-Powered™: the students do the building, coding, and driving while the coordinator guides them. No one on the team needs a robotics background to start.
- Students build strategic thinking and engineering design skills through themed Missions that mirror real-life challenges.
- Students gain teamwork skills and confidence by splitting the driving, building and coding.
- Students write block-based and/or text-based code on a tablet, smartphone or computer.
- Students build directly onto RVR+ with Blueprint Snap pieces or household items to complete each Mission.
- Students can operate RVR+ by device during some Missions, using a phone or tablet.
What does it cost?
Getting Started
The season registration fee covers entry into multiple events:
- In-Person teams compete alongside other teams at an event run by volunteers.
- In-Person teams that cannot attend every event can compete remotely from their own school or club via livestream and still pursue the path to a Championship Event.
- Online Submission teams send in their recorded Missions instead of competing live.
In-Person and Online Submission events both qualify teams for a State or Region Championship.
Equipment is a separate cost. The first year can be the biggest expense because of the initial robot and optional field purchase, however, following years are significantly cheaper as teams reuse the same robot and parts season after season. To see the first-year total next to the other Sphero Competition programs, compare all four programs.
Registration
Each RVR team has two to five students and at least one adult Team Coordinator. The Team Coordinator registers the team for the season on myTEAMevents.org. Teams come from public schools, magnet and charter schools, and from clubs. There is no cost to add your school or club on myTEAMevents.org. You only pay the season fee for each team you register.
- Required: 2 to 5 students, no technical experience needed
- Required: One (or more) adult Team Coordinator, no technical experience needed
- Required: Season registration
Equipment
Each RVR Mission team needs one robot and one Blueprint Snap Missions Kit. A code mat and craft supplies are recommended, but a team can compete without them. Find the current cost of each item on Sphero’s RVR Missions page.
- Required: One RVR+ robot
- Required: One Blueprint Snap Sphero Robotics Missions Kit
- Recommended: One RVR+ Code Mat
- Recommended: One Sphero Craft Pack, or your own cardboard, construction paper, tape and stickers to build the Mission environment
Frequently Asked Questions
Is RVR Missions a middle school robotics competition?
Who can join RVR Missions?
Students born September 1, 2011 or later can join, which is typically grades 6 through 8. Younger students can look at BOLT Missions, and older students move up to the Blueprint Robotics Competition.
Can we compete without traveling to an event?
Yes. There are two ways:
- In-Person teams that cannot travel to an event can use the Live Remote option to compete from their own location via livestream and still qualify for the In-Person Championship.
- Online Submission teams submit their pre-recorded work on myTEAMevents.org.
Where are RVR Missions events held?
Schools, libraries, community centers and universities host them. Find an RVR Missions event near you, or host an event at your school.
Our team competed last season. What do we need this year?
RVR teams are moving to the Blueprint Snap Sphero Robotics Missions Kit this season. A returning team that owns last season’s Blueprint kit does not need the full new kit. They only need to add the $10 Blueprint to Snap Conversion Kit from Sphero, or 3D-print the same parts.