Students in Grades 2-5 currently engage in the WeDo LEGO Robotics construction and coding using the LEGO Education WeDo Robotics Software, v. 1.2. This grant would fund 15 kits at the next level as well as the new version of WeDo Software, v.2.0.
Through the WeDo LEGO Construction curriculum students develop collaboration, communication and problem-solving skills. The tactile nature of the LEGO constructions bring coding and robotics to life for students. After recreating the prescribed coding sequence, students design unique coding and engage in a productive creative process. Students love to play with LEGOS and this program bridges this student interest to science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills.
The program is extremely popular and is accessible by all teachers of grades 2 through 5 as well as by the Advanced Learning Students program and the PTO Enrichment program. The main objective for the WeDo LEGO Construction Project Expansion is to provide the pathway for students to take coding, engineering and collaboration to the next level.
Students in Grades 2-5 will be able to access this project during Learning Laboratory time as planned by their individual teachers. The new library construction will include a Learning Laboratory where the LEGO kits can be safely stored and appropriately used by students.
Yes, this grant will be shared with teachers of Grades 2-5, the Advanced Learning team, and the PTO Enrichment programs.
Principal Colborn has confirmed that there is no district funding for this program at this time. Partial funding would be appreciated and possible to use given that these kits would be an expansion of an already existing program. I have requested 15 kits because this would serve 30 students. It would be difficult to fund htis project through class funds as these are often limited and used for field trips and classroom items. If funding is partial or not attained through this grant other sources will be sought including through the Truckee Elementary PTO.