FIRST LEGO LEAGUE CHALLENGE MEETING 15.07.2022 2 P.M.
In attendance: Kate Slawatecka, Michelle Thomas, Nicole Byrne, Catherine Maher, Seirena Kelly.
At the kick off meeting, we discussed:
- the process of applying for the funding, which we will use to buy the Lego kits and any other materials.
- We have researched online for age appropriate Lego sets available online and in the local shops.
- We have written down a list of potential themes our 4-6 year olds could be interested in (based on the knowledge and experience of the teachers working with that age group for the past number of years).
- We also discussed how our program would develop further by having the First Lego League Challenge in the Centre and the impact that this would have on our students. Running the First Lego League will be extremely beneficial. Children will excel through activity-based learning. Our students will further develop their communication skills, problem solving skills, team building skills, imagination, creativity and increase their resilience to name just a few.
- We decided to run our program for 10 weeks throughout the first semester of the school year, starting on the 12th September 2022 (6 weeks before mid-term break and then 4 weeks starting on the 7th November). Time: 4p.m. – 5p.m. after dinner and homework are done. Day: Wednesday was suggested as the day for the program. We discussed the fact that some children do not attend on Wednesdays and so would miss out on the opportunity. We will look at the booking list and see could we do Wednesday one week and another day the following week and continue with the pattern.
- Themes: Trains and tracks (incl. app); Build a bridge for Lego figurines to cross the river; Build a boat and see if it sinks or floats; Create a water dam; Build a balloon powered car; Easy Lego catapult; Lego maze/marble run; Symmetry Lego picture; Lego landmark buildings shadow pictures; Finish off with a blast – Lego volcano.
- we also discussed how we can design a program that will cater for our individual students needs which will be based on their Individual Education Profiles/ Behaviour plans.
- a celebration/recognition event for children and their families was suggested to finish the program. On the night of the event children could be presented with certificates, medals, scrapbooks and small Lego sets to bring home and continue their adventure with STEM Lego creations. A photo presentation would help us share some of the experience and outcomes of the program with families and guests.
Tasks to be completed are:
* Quick call with the ChangeX team member Friday 22nd July at 2 p.m.
• Complete the remaining steps as outlined in the First 30 Day Lego League Challenge.
• Follow up meeting 29th August 2022 at 2 p.m. to discuss progress.
• Begin to explore the Lego League tasks.