STEM: LEGO Robotics Amy Colman, GT Resource Teacher Lorraine Quinn, Technology Teacher Bellows Spring Elementary School

Purpose Design and make creative LEGO products Brainstorm ways to find creative alternative solutions Learn to communicate, share ideas and work together as a team. Participate in fun activities that will promote learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics

LEGO WeDo “Bridging the physical world (LEGO models), and the virtual world (computers and programming software), LEGO Education WeDo provides a hands-on learning experience that actively involves students in their own learning process and promotes creative thinking, teamwork and problem solving skills – skills that are essential in the workplace of the 21st century.” Training our kids for jobs that do not exist

LEGO Education Kits

WeDoTM Curriculum Relevance Science Working with simple machines, gears, levers, pulleys; transmission of motion Technology Programming; using software media; designing and creating a working model Engineering Brainstorm solutions Select solution, build it, test it, and evaluate results Mathematics Measuring time and distance; adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, estimating, randomness; using variables Language and Literacy Narrative and journalistic writing, storytelling, explaining, interviewing, interpreting LEGO Education WeDoTM Concept Description 5 5

WeDoTM Construction Set LEGO Education WeDoTM Concept Description 6 6

WeDoTM Getting Started Simple programming Extended palette Programming Software Getting Started Simple programming Extended palette LEGO Education WeDoTM Concept Description 7 7

WeDoTM Connect Continue Construct Contemplate Activity Material 8 8 LEGO Education WeDoTM Concept Description 8 8

WeDoTM Content: - 158 LEGO® SYSTEM elements - LEGO® USB hub - 1 motor Construction Set Content: - 158 LEGO® SYSTEM elements - LEGO® USB hub - 1 motor - 2 sensors (motion and tilt) - Storage box - Top card (element overview on top and back) LEGO Education WeDoTM Concept Description 9 9

WeDoTM Content: ~ Programming software (single and site license) ~ Compatible with Mac and PC LEGO Education WeDoTM Concept Description 10 10

Themes and Activities Amazing Amazing Mechanisms – focuses on physical science concepts (pulleys, belts, gears, levers, cams, patterns of movements) Wild Animals – focuses on technology, emphasizing the concept of sensing and responding to external stimuli (Alligator snaps its jaw shut when the motion sensor sees something near its mouth.) Play Soccer - Focuses on Mathematics (Students calculate number of blocks, goals, misses, etc ) Adventure Stories - Focuses on language using the model to dramatize events (Airplane rescue; learn important interview questions: who, what, where, why and how and report a story of Max the LEGO mini figure’s airplane ride.) Amazing LEGO Education WeDoTM Concept Description 11 11

Mindstorms NXT Robot

NXT, sensors, and servo motors 1. NXT: computer controlled LEGO brick 2. Touch Sensor: feel and interact with environment 3. Sound Sensor: hear and react to sound 4. Light Sensor: detect light and color 5. Ultrasonic Sensor: see, measure distance to an object, and react to movement 6. Servo Motors: ensures that the robot moves with precision.

LEGOs at BSES WeDo Program NXT Mindstorms Program Grade 4 GT Seminar Additional groups in grades K-3 NXT Mindstorms Program Grade 5 GT Seminar Flexible Schedule

Funding School Funds PTA MSET Grant Bright Minds Foundation Grant Other

Pricing for WeDo WeDo 4-pk w/Site License & Activity Pack = $805.49 WeDo Single Set /Software & Activity Pack = $190.75

Pricing for NXT Mindstorms NXT 4-pk w/Site License & Software = $1509.80 NXT 6-pk w/Site License & Software = $2076.80 NXT Single Set/Software = $370.17

Contact Information LEGO Education http://www.lego.com/education/ Steve Shumaker, Education Consultant sshumaker@LEGOeducation.us First LEGO League http://www.firstlegoleague.org/ MSET www.msetonline.org Bright Minds Foundation www.brightmindsfoundation.org

Kids in Action

Programming LEGOs

Ariana and “Rosie”

Student Feedback The following statements include the actual words of the students completed on a survey last year.

What did you like best? I liked having the materials and ability to make mechanical robots. Seeing my creation makes me proud. …being able to using my hands, technology, and my mind together to make a robot. It also gives me more time to focus on a certain subject, therefore helping me to make the LEGOs robot. I liked how I got to program the NXT robots. I liked how it was challenging and liked how it made me consider building robots in the future.

What skills have you learned during this class that are useful to you in other classes? I learned to try again if my creation didn't work because the result is always worth it. I think the thing I learned was how to work with somebody else. One of the things I learned was perseverance. Perseverance helped me when I had to redo my robot two times. During the day, it helps me through a long test, or a real life problem. Concentration has also helped me make my robot because it allows me to focus on how to make the robot move, or if I need to make sure I get a certain pert correct. During the day it helps me to be able to focus on my assignments or homework, so I can more successfully complete my homework.

Would you recommend this program to a friend? Yes because it is very fun and it would teach other children about technology and science. LEGOs is a fun, exiting program where you build a creation and make it move and even make sounds. I would recommend it to people who love to build things such as robots, things that move, and also things that have to do with STEM.

Has participation in this program changed your interest in science, technology, engineering or mathematics? Yes because now I know when grow up I want to be a scientist and create a car that allows this earth to become healthy and I will always know where my knowledge came from. It has changed me because I was not good at figuring things out but now I am. I have always loved science and math from the beginning and I actually like it a lot more because of this program I might try engineering when I grow up because I like it a lot now and I had a fun experience with LEGO robotics. It has changed my interest from OK to awesome!

Principal - Jacqueline Klamerus Contact Information Amy_Colman@hcpss.org Lorraine_Quinn@hcpss.org Principal - Jacqueline Klamerus 8125 Old Stockbridge Road, Ellicott City, MD 21043 410-313-5057