STEAM Stampede: Lasso Learning with LEGO

Outline

Content and Engagement Overview

Introduction and Overview (10 minutes)

Content:

This session will begin with a brief introduction to LEGO Spike and Bricq kits, focusing on their use in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) education. The session will highlight the role of hands-on learning in fostering creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking. An overview of session objectives will be provided, with an emphasis on how participants will engage in hands-on activities.

Engagement:

Participants will reflect on how they currently integrate hands-on, maker, or play-based activities into their classrooms. This will be facilitated through small group discussions to foster peer-to-peer sharing of strategies and experiences.

Hands-On Build #1: Three-Pointer Challenge (20 minutes)

Content:

In this activity, participants will explore physics concepts such as force, motion, and trajectory by building a working catapult using the LEGO Bricq kit. They will engage in a playful design iteration process, modifying and testing their catapults to improve performance.

Engagement:

Participants will work in small groups to collaboratively build and test their catapults. Teams will be encouraged to tweak their designs, engage in peer-to-peer feedback, and participate in a friendly competition to achieve the most accurate shot.

Create:

Each group will create a fully functional catapult model designed to launch small projectiles with precision.

Hands-On Build #2: Tightrope Walker (20 minutes)

Content:

This activity will focus on the principles of balance and gravity. Participants will construct a tightrope walker using LEGO Bricq kits and will explore how weight distribution affects stability.

Engagement:

In small groups, participants will collaborate to design, build, and test their tightrope walkers. After initial testing, groups will troubleshoot issues and refine their designs, fostering a collaborative problem-solving environment.

Create:

A tightrope walker model capable of moving steadily across a suspended string, designed for maximum stability.

Hands-On Build #3: Junior Pinball Machine (20 minutes)

Content:

Participants will build a simple yet functional pinball machine using the LEGO Spike kit, exploring mechanical design concepts such as levers, angles, and force. The activity emphasizes playful experimentation with mechanical systems and design iteration.

Engagement:
Groups will collaborate to build and optimize their pinball machines, participating in a friendly challenge to create the most effective design. Teams will compete and reflect on the principles of iteration and improvement.

Create:

Each group will create a functional pinball machine, refined for gameplay and effectiveness.

Wrap-Up: Reflection and Takeaways (15 minutes)

Content:

Participants will engage in reflective discussions, sharing insights from their hands-on builds and connecting the STEAM principles explored during the session to their own teaching environments.

Engagement:

Using platforms such as Fig Jam or Padlet, participants will document and share their reflections. They will collaborate to discuss what worked well and how these projects can be adapted to classroom settings.

Artifact:
Participants will walk away with a digital reflection document, sample lessons to help plan STEAM with lego and sample Lego bag.

Supporting research

Articles

"LEGO Robotics: A Powerful Tool for Developing Computational Thinking Skills" by John Spencer and Michael Resnick:
https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ960118.pdf

The Benefits of LEGO-Based Learning for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder" by Sarah Sparks:
https://search.proquest.com/openview/4fda590fd7c268f871b965a794f7957b/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y

"LEGO Robotics: A Tool for Teaching STEM Concepts to English Language Learners" by Maria Torres:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349134079_ROBOTICS_AS_A_TOOL_TO_STEM_LEARNING

"LEGO-Based Learning and Creativity in Early Childhood Education" by Patricia M. Wright and Susan E. Chinn: https://assets.education.lego.com/v3/assets/blt293eea581807678a/blt65c7bc0ef324a169/623dd94912562208fd9bf6b4/le_learning_through_play_whitepaper_digital.pdf

Books

“Invent to Learn: Making, Tinkering, and Engineering in the Classroom” by Sylvia Libow Martinez and Gary S. Stager - This book emphasizes the importance of hands-on learning and creativity in education.

“The LEGO Boost Creative Toolbox: The Ultimate Guide to Building and Programming Your Own Robots” by John Baichtal - A practical guide that illustrates how to use LEGO for engaging robotics projects.

Websites
LEGO Education: https://education.lego.com/en-us/