The funding for the Baby Vikings Lego project facilitated the purchase of First Lego League Discover materials. This is a program that introduces STEM in a playful way for students in grades Pre-K thru first grade this program is labelled Discovery because it ignites students natural curiosity and builds habits of learning with hands-on activities in the classroom and family engagement activities to extend learning at home using Lego Duplo bricks.
My students have learned a lot and truly believe they are engineers. They are excited to come to class to build with their Lego's. Parents will stop me in the hallway to ask when is the next Lego lesson so they can be prepared to repeat the skill builder at home. The materials included take home Lego bricks.
We are thrilled to start Discover curriculum at our school. Our students will benefit from Lego League Discover because this curriculum will sharpen their 21st century skills such as collaboration, critical thinking, communication and creativity. Lego League is exceptional in the way it engages students skills starting in early childhood, as well as work on problem solving, and lay the groundwork for future STEM and computer science opportunities students have access to as they get older. FIRST programming offers opportunities to connect not just students, but families and our larger school community through end of season events. Family involvement is critical at the age and parents will be able to relate to First because Legos are relatable at every age.
We will begin this project by registering our team and coaches with FIRST in May when registration for the new season begins. After that is completed we will purchase (1-3) Discover Class Packs and (1-3) STEAM Park Lego sets. Next we will start selecting students in May/June for our start time in August. During the summer we will attend a FIRST training to prepare as coaches. In August we will launch our Discover team/program with students once the new school year starts. Our team will plan out our meeting sessions using FIRST and LEGO curriculum resources. Our season will culminate with a celebration event in December.
In order to make sure that our team is COVID safe during all of our meetings, we will make sure everyone is masked if we are in person inside. We will meet in the rotunda during inclement weather (this is an open area inside of the school) otherwise we will meet outside of school near the back door. All materials will be wiped down before and after we use them.
