My Lego Education- Spike Prime Experience

Hello and welcome! 

I’m really pleased to have become involved with Lego Education in recent months, through Neil and ‘The Creative Hut’ (via Dr Lynne Bianchi -SEERIH, University of Manchester- and Dr Alison Buxton- Maker Futures, University of Sheffield). It’s been a great opportunity to enhance further my STEM knowledge and pedagogy and to be able to provide this great learning opportunity for our pupils. 

 

Training with Neil @Creativehut has been informative, in a flexible and highly positive way. Myself and colleagues were recently challenged to create a Fairground/Theme park. After some collaboration with Neil, I felt much more confident when creating and coding and am really proud of my fairground rides which consisted of a Kamakaze, the Cyclone, the Cups and Saucers and a Carousel (all in action at the same time!).

 

Due to the rapid growth and evolution of IT, many of our pupils are increasingly exposed to advanced computer systems and graphics at home, meaning it is more important than ever to engage them in an increasingly sophisticated way of learning- which will capture their interest and nurture skills including supporting their IT learning (increasingly important as they develop into adulthood).

 

Lego is an excellent example of such a learning tool, having evolved from the initial Lego bricks of roughly 50 years ago to a now advanced way for our kids to develop key skills required, through building and programming, which include: patience, resilience, curiosity, creativity, thoughtfulness and confidence. It is vital that the next generation of adults hone these transferable skills. A mixture of DT, Science, Maths, IT and Engineering, this equipment is brilliant in giving pupils the opportunity to develop in an up to date, hands-on, cross-curricular way. It can provide a variety of learning experiences and getting started is easy; great classroom management/storage means it’s perfect for classroom use as each section of the storage container is clearly labelled so pupils can maintain the contents accurately and tidily. 

 

Bright, colourful and easy to access, Spike Prime is aimed at children aged 10+ and uses Scratch type ‘drag and drop’ programming. It’s really flexible- users can access lesson plans or go it alone with their make. Frames, wheels, tyres, biscuit bricks to enhance stability, wire clips (to keep cables tidy) and gears are just some of the elements.  The ‘Hub’ or brain has 6 ports, a gyro-sensor, a speaker and a matrix grid screen to add text to any programme. There is also a very cool colour sensor, three motors and a switch. The programmable hub works through Blue tooth or via a USB. There are many different building options and approximately 33 lessons- that’s nearly 25 hours of learning! It is perfect for school- in the Autumn, our Upper Key Stage 2 children will have access to Lego Spike Prime Club.

 

 

Many children already use and have access to I-pads, tablets and computer-based learning. However, for children who cannot access such equipment, this incentive at school was an excellent opportunity to develop STEM skills and interest. The software is easy to down-load and the kit is easy to use in groups, pairs or individually. The pupils in my class really enjoyed having the freedom to tinker with the equipment and to ‘free style’ without the threat of being told they had ‘gone wrong’. They loved the achievement of building something of their own innovation and developing that by adding extra layers to their invention. An excellent tool, they were really motivated to use it and to enhance their designs. They enjoyed helping each other and sharing their knowledge and understanding. During the Covid 19 lock-down, whilst working in bubbles, pupils worked independently with the kit- which was then put away securely for 72 hours before the next user started working with it- to ensure safety.

 

Joining the dots is so important- academic learning, mindfulness (good mental health), Maker Education* and developing Engineering Habits of Mind** all support the individual to evolve as a whole person. Defining problems, making prototypes and refining designs, evaluating, creating programmes plus developing abstract and critical thinking skills enable key transferable skills to evolve and valuable learning to take place. This kit is also important in engaging girls to tackling STEM skills issues/gender stereotyping and allows some of the less academic children -with a talent for making/IT -to shine during the hands-on activities- building confidence and self-esteem.

 

I really recommend Lego Spike Prime- our Year 6 pupils have thoroughly enjoyed using the kit which has enabled them to feel more patient, determined and resilient-confident designers, makers, coders and problem solvers. A great resource. 

Don't forget to keep an eye on my builds on Twitter @katesutton70 !

Thanks for reading and see you soon!

Kate

For more info on Lego Spike Prime please do check them out on Twitter @LEGO_Education and @CreativeHutEdu !

 

*https://makerfutures.org

Maker Futures, University of Sheffield

@Maker_Futures

 

**Engineering Habits of Mind

Royal Academy of Engineering- 

Learning to be an Engineer. Implications for the Education System 

March 2017 London

https://www.raeng.org.uk/publications/reports/learning-to-be-an-engineer

Authors-Professor Bill Lucas, Dr Janet Hanson, Dr Lynne Bianchi and Dr Jonathan Chippindall

@UoMSEERIH