Rationale
The goal of the Lego Engineering + Applied Design (LEAD) program is to help students develop holistic skills, including communication, collaboration, problem-solving and critical thinking. These dynamic skills are most effectively developed through engaging, playful learning experiences. This is what we strive to provide students through the LEAD program.
Program Description
LEAD is student-centered, utilizing the popular LEGO Learning System. Students will explore STEAM concepts as they collaborate on hands-on challenges with real-world applications. They will apply mathematical concepts, 21st century technology skills - such as coding and progressing from simple icon blocks (block coding) to text-based coding - as they plan, manage and reflect on their learning with a focus on inquiry and design thinking. Students will be challenged to think independently, to take risks, to learn from their attempts and eventually make changes in their community in their own way. Students will document their learning and present it to a wider audience.
LEAD has a strong foundation of social-emotional learning, aligned with the CASEL Framework. Students will practice skills integral to lifelong learning and healthy social-emotional development, including self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and decision making. In addition, students will learn about a growth mindset and how it relates to learning. They will engage in purposeful activities designed to foster a growth mindset with a focus on the core stances: empathy, flexibility, persistence, resilience and optimism.
Format
All students will participate in LEAD , starting in preschool and continuing through their sixth grade year.
Preschool
Preschool students will learn the basics of coding using Blue-Bots. Students will use the built-in directional keys to program the robot to complete a variety of challenges.
Kindergarten
Kindergarten students will learn the basics of robotics and coding using Blue-Bots and LEGO Spike Essentials.
1st and 2nd Grades
1st and 2nd grades will build on what they learned in kindergarten, using LEGO Spike Essentials to continue to develop an understanding of robotics and block-based coding. Students will work collaboratively to build a robot and complete a variety of challenges using simple and complex coding principles.
3rd and 4th Grades
3rd and 4th graders will use LEGO Spike Prime to engage in complex problem solving as they explore their real-life questions and observations. Student teams will identify, research and use robotics to solve a relevant real-world problem.
5th and 6th Grades
5th and 6th graders will use LEGO Spike Prime to participate in the FIRST LEGO League Challenge, a friendly competition in which students build and program a robot to navigate the missions of a robot game.
The goal of the Lego Engineering + Applied Design (LEAD) program is to help students develop holistic skills, including communication, collaboration, problem-solving and critical thinking. These dynamic skills are most effectively developed through engaging, playful learning experiences. This is what we strive to provide students through the LEAD program.
Program Description
LEAD is student-centered, utilizing the popular LEGO Learning System. Students will explore STEAM concepts as they collaborate on hands-on challenges with real-world applications. They will apply mathematical concepts, 21st century technology skills - such as coding and progressing from simple icon blocks (block coding) to text-based coding - as they plan, manage and reflect on their learning with a focus on inquiry and design thinking. Students will be challenged to think independently, to take risks, to learn from their attempts and eventually make changes in their community in their own way. Students will document their learning and present it to a wider audience.
LEAD has a strong foundation of social-emotional learning, aligned with the CASEL Framework. Students will practice skills integral to lifelong learning and healthy social-emotional development, including self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and decision making. In addition, students will learn about a growth mindset and how it relates to learning. They will engage in purposeful activities designed to foster a growth mindset with a focus on the core stances: empathy, flexibility, persistence, resilience and optimism.
Format
All students will participate in LEAD , starting in preschool and continuing through their sixth grade year.
Preschool
Preschool students will learn the basics of coding using Blue-Bots. Students will use the built-in directional keys to program the robot to complete a variety of challenges.
Kindergarten
Kindergarten students will learn the basics of robotics and coding using Blue-Bots and LEGO Spike Essentials.
1st and 2nd Grades
1st and 2nd grades will build on what they learned in kindergarten, using LEGO Spike Essentials to continue to develop an understanding of robotics and block-based coding. Students will work collaboratively to build a robot and complete a variety of challenges using simple and complex coding principles.
3rd and 4th Grades
3rd and 4th graders will use LEGO Spike Prime to engage in complex problem solving as they explore their real-life questions and observations. Student teams will identify, research and use robotics to solve a relevant real-world problem.
5th and 6th Grades
5th and 6th graders will use LEGO Spike Prime to participate in the FIRST LEGO League Challenge, a friendly competition in which students build and program a robot to navigate the missions of a robot game.