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 6th (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 2nd 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!
