Lego Education

Notes from the Meeting with Lego Education

Representative Manuel Frederick

29 November 2010

NMS-Primary Room 301, 16:15-18:00

Mr. Frederick met with three NMS-Primary Teachers:  Tom Zlodre, Sonya Ralph, Wilhelm Holthus and Shelia Joneleit, Parent Coordinator of the NMS Lego Lab.

He came to show us the three major educational concepts of the Lego Education Divison.  First of all, he discussed the Lego Education concepts called the 4c’s:

Connect          --what students create should connect to the real world. 

Construct        --create a Lego machine.

Contemplate    –examine the machine and think about making it better

Continue          –keep exploring and keep experimenting

An example Mr. Frederick showed was a simple machine street cleaner.  In a team, using simple lego directions students create a street cleaning machine and figure out how best to use the arm mechanics through the use of gears. 

The Lego Education Concept also allows the teacher to connect back to the curriculum:

Science:                 working with simple machines, gears, levers, pulleys, transmission of motion

Technology:          programming, using software media, designing, and creating a working model.

Enginnering:         brainstorming solutions, teamwork

Mathematics:        counting, measuring, estimating

Language /Literarcy:  narrative and journalistic writing, storytelling, explaining, interviewing and interpreting. 

With fantastic working models utilizing a laptop PC, Mr. Frederick went on to show us the three major Lego Education Products. 

We-Do Computer Programming with simple robotics geared for 1st-4th grades

Machines & Mechanisms  geared for 3rd-7th grades

NXT Programming—an autonomous Robot system geared for grades 5th +

We-Do Computer Programming introduces students to the use of computers as a programming tool.  Using simples sensors and virtual programming components, students can build programming sequences that can make simple robotic birds sqwak and move their head, hungry crocs close their mouths and more.  A full teacher curriculum in German or English can be downloaded.  And each kit can serve a team of 2 to 4 students at one time.  Of course, a computer with a USB hub is also needed to handle the programming chores.

Machines and Mechanisms are not computer based but look like an incredible amount of fun for students to learn science and math concepts by doing.  Again, a full teacher curriculum in German or English can be downloaded and each kit can serve 2 to 4 students at one time.  No computer is needed for this area.  This area also includes the solar and wind energy components as seperate kits.

Both the We-Do and Machines and Mechanisms utilize a storytelling component with two different sets of min-fig characters. 

The NXT Programming is a fully autonomous robot system that utilizes all the Lego concepts and is completely flexible so there is no written curriculum.  Teachers can create their own curriculum  based on the concepts they want to teach.  Programming is based again on sequencing block components.  Advanced students would also be able to create their own blocks.  Also, five sensors come with every kit so that the flexibility of building a robot is within the hands of the students.  NXT is the programming used in the First Lego League Competition. 

At the end of the presentation, the group discussed how the Lego Education fits in with the eEducation Master Plan.  One of the programs that many schools have worked on is the Roberta Project—an extracurricular program geared to girls who are interested in exploring technology in more of a non-competitive environment. 

This presentation was timely since the NMS-Primary will soon be engaged in an all day work session concerning the NMS Master Technology Plan, a plan the ICT Development Workgroup is preparing that will integrate an overall technolgy (hardware & software) and curriculum plan for the entire school.  Building the plan will also allow deeper funding opportunities from the Berlin Senat. 

The next steps for the Lego Lab Teachers/Educators group would be to decide if they want to begin using these technology products in their own classroom and how they could integrate the concepts into their current curriculum.    If they decide to go in this direction, then a plan could be drawn up in parallel or even in conjunction with the NMS Master Technology Plan. 

In the meantime, in early January, the group should reconvene to discuss the idea of building a First Lego League Lego Lab for 5th grade+ students who have reached the age of 10 through 16 by 1 January.  This activity might possibly be open to all Primary & Secondary students.  The first stage though is to decide as a group if this is a good idea for the school and what implications a new program like this would have on existing extracurriculuar programs such as the Lego Lab and the Odyessy of the Mind Program.    Also, finding coaches who can dedicate their time once or twice per week is a primary consideration. 

Parent Letter--November 25, 2010

Nelson Mandela School-Primary Lego Lab AG

Parent Letter—November 25, 2010

You are invited to a Lego Lab exhibit!!!!!

We have had so much fun in the Lego Lab that we are holding our first ever exhibits as part of our presentation stage of the Lab. 

For this exhibit period, small teams have been created to work a specific theme that each team has chosen.  During the exhibit, we’ll demonstrate the Lego Lock and each team will give a five minute presentation about their co-creations. 

Both Exhibits will occur in the Lego Lab, Room 301, NMS-Primary Altbau. 

Monday, 6 December, 2010, 15:45-16:00

  Monday Lego Lab Exhibit

                

Friday, 10 December, 2010, 15:45-16:00

   Friday Lego Lab Exhibit

Gentle Reminder about the first semester Materials Fee

A number of families have not yet gave their 20 Euro contribution towards the Lego Lab Materials Fee.  Unfortunately in order to start the program, materials had to be purchased along with the organizing tubs.    Even used Legos are not  cheap so we ask your help in this matter so we can continue to replenish the Lego inventory as needed.  20 Euros cash will be accepted or you can send an Überweisung to the Friends of Nelson Mandela School.  Berliner Volksbank, BLZ 100 900 00, Konto 102 02 32 001, Kunden-Referenznummer:  Lego Lab AG + student’s name.  Cash donations beyond the materials fee are welcome anytime!

Still need Lego Element Donations!

The Lego Lab probably has enough basic Legos for 50 students at one time, however there are specific things we are in need of:  Min-figs and/or Min-fig parts, any technical Legos and large Lego Plattes.  If you want to donate regular Legos, we will accept those too!  The best time to donate Legos to the Lego Lab is on Monday or Friday from 15:45 to 16:00. 

Lego Lab Robotic Team

This winter,  Lego Lab volunteers, educators and teachers will begin exploring whether or not a Lego Lab Robotic Competition is something that the students and the school would like to pursue.  If you are interested in assisting on this exploration, please contact the Lego Lab at legolab@nelson-mandela-school.net. For more information on the Robotic Competition in Germany visit this website:

http://www.hands-on-technology.de/firstlegoleague.

NMS Lego Lab has a blog

Check it out at http://www.nmslegolab.blogspot.com/

Keep on Building!!!!                         

NMS Lego Lab Announcement for November 1, 2010

Next Saturday, November 6 from 9:15 to 4:00 the Lego First League will have a Berlin Mind Sport Competition at Motorola GmbH near Tegel Airport.   The address is Am Borsigturm 137, D-13507,  (U6-Verbindungen).   

This is not a sanctioned school event but parents and  Lego Lab members are welcome to attend as audience members.  This is an opportunity especially for older Lego Lab members to find out how Lego Mind Sport Competitions with the idea of perhaps building a team in the future. 

The First Lego League in Europe is a competition for students age 10 to 16 who work together building a lego robot using programming software to make the robot move on a prescribed course.  Also, team members are required to give a five minute research presentation on  each year’s theme. 

Here is information from the hands-on-technology website about this year’s theme:  BODY FORWARD.

This year the FLL Teams discover the exciting world of Biomedical Engineering. With the help of the Challenge Topic “Body Forward” the FLL Participants will explore the cutting edge world of Biomedical Engineering. They discover innovative ways of repairing injuries, overcoming genetic predispositions, and maximizing the body's potential. All with the intended purpose of leading more valuable and healthier lives.

Here is the website address for more information on the program. 

http://www.hands-on-technology.de/en/organisation

Hope to see you there!

Lego Lab Coach Shelia Joneleit

Lego Lab AG

Has a New Location

Room 301!

All Students Welcome on Fridays from

2:00 to 3:45

   

     

Bring yourself and your friends!

Semester based program!

20 Euro Materials Fee per semester!

For Parents,

If you have questions or would like to volunteer for the project, contact in person your child’s Primary Educator or email

 legolab@nelson-mandela-school.net.

Come Build with Us!!!!

Nelson Mandela School-Primary Lego Lab AG

Parent Letter--September, 2010

The NMS-Primary Lego Lab AG begins this semester and is for like minded students who enjoy building with Legos.  The Lego Lab AG is a cooperative AG between Primary Educators and Parents in cooperation with the Friends of Nelson Mandela.  Here are the times and place for the Labs:

Mondays, 2:40 to 3:45  For Flex 1 and 2 Students

Fridays, 2:00 to 4:00 for Flex 1 through 6^th (all Primary Students)

Both Labs will take place in the Little Menza on the ground floor.

The primary language for the Labs will be English and the program is semester based. (Sept-Jan & Feb-June). A student may choose to continue with the lab 2^nd semester or decide that they want to try a different AG at that time and that is quite all right.  We do ask however, that if a student makes a commitment to the Lab that they stay for the entire time during the lab workshop time plus stick  with it through the entire semester.  A non-refundable 20 Euro materials fee will be charged per student each semester of participation. 

Students can build projects on their own or within a small team and we hope to hold two exhibitions per semester for parents and family.  Themed projects and exhibitions might be a possibility based on student interest. 

If older Primary students show interest in forming a Lego Robot Building Team to compete in the First LEGO LEAGUE (FLL) mind sport competitions for the 2011-2012 school year,  the coaches would work with the interested students’ parents to explore the possibilities.  Participation in Europe FLL is for 10 to 16 year olds with 3 to 10 members per team.   If NMS-Secondary students have interest in joining a team, that could also possibly be accomodated with planning. 

From the beginning, the NMS Lego Lab AG will follow the core values of the First Lego League (FLL), an international league of student Lego Builders.  FIRST is an acronym FOR INSPIRATION & RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. 

The FLL Core Values are the cornerstones of the FLL program. They are among the fundamental elements that distinguish FLL from other programs of its kind. By embracing the Core Values, participants learn that friendly competition and mutual gain are not separate goals, and that helping one another is the foundation of teamwork.

·      We are a team.

·      We do the work to find solutions with guidance from our coaches and mentors.

·      We honor the spirit of friendly play and competition.

·      What we discover is more important than what we win.

·      We share our experiences with others.

·      We display gracious professionalism in everything we do.

·      We have fun!

Besides having fun together, the NMS Lego Lab AG could become a great way for students to naturally learn some of the important points of the current NMS Social Learning Curriculum goals such as teamwork, cooperation, following directions and solving problems together. On a physical level, building Legos will improve students’ fine motor skills, eye/hand coordination, and concentration.   On a mental level, building Legos within a group of like minded students can assist with building confidence in doing something well, grow and establish long term friendships with other students, allow students to put to use what they learn from their regular studies and allow leadership possibilities when older and younger students work together.  On an academic level, students will improve their presentation skills and increase their level of understanding in math and engineering, art and design, and eventually (if they move onto a robot team) computer programming. 

How will the weekly workshops work?

Overall, the workshops will have four distinct areas: 

Opening Remarks would include weekly introductions, learning Lego vocabulary, elements and special techniques, and possibly every once in a while a quick team building activity.  Building Phase  will be the longest part, of course, followed by  Presentation—upon completion of a project, students will be asked to present it to the group.  And last but certainly important Cleanup—a team activitiy…everyone pitches in and helps everyone else. 

How would the overall coordination of the Lego Lab AG work?

Eventually, a 3 to 5 member group of Educators/Parents  plus two older students who have been elected by the entire Lab would be responsible for the operation and coordination of the Lego Lab AG’s finances, inventory and overall planning. 

A semester materials fee would be charged to assist with inventory purchases.  If students choose to become a member of a Lego Lab Competition team,  a higher membership fee would be charged to facilitate the special materials, FLL membership and competition fees.  Also, a student’s parent(s) would be asked to volunteer more time to the AG. 

Parent Volunteers are welcome and needed!!!!

In order for the Lego Lab AG to become a success and an important extracurricular activity for our NMS students, parent volunteers are needed to serve as weekly coaches and once in a while mentors.  Please contact legolab@nelson-mandela-school.net to find out more! 

Donations & Materials Fee

The Lego Lab will accept any and all donations of both new and gently used Lego elements (basic and technic), old Lego Kits (which will be integrated into existing inventory), directions from various Lego Projects and books about Lego.

Money donations for purchase of new and used materials are always welcome:  Please send an Überweizung for the 20 Euro materials fee and any additional donations to:

Förderverien der Nelson-Mandela-Schule

Berliner Volksbank

BLZ 100 900 00

Konto 102 02 32 001

Kunden-Referenzummer:  Lego Lab AG—(student name)

Thank you and we appreciate your support of the Lego Lab AG!