This term a group of Year 3 LEGO enthusiasts participated in the FIRST LEGO League Jr challenge. This is the first year that Margaret River Primary School has participated, with the Challenge Expo being held at Bunbury Primary School on Saturday, 26th October.
FIRST LEGO League is an international competition organized by FIRST for elementary and middle school students. Each year in August, FIRST LEGO League introduces a scientific and real-world challenge for teams to focus and research on. (Wikipedia) The students work out a solution to a problem related to the theme (which changes every year) and then meet to compete, share their knowledge, compare ideas, and display their LEGO models.
FIRST LEGO League is a partnership between FIRST and the LEGO Group. FIRST LEGO League Jr is their program for children ages 6–9.
This year’s challenge theme was ‘Boomtown’ and students were required to make a building that solves a problem in their community. They had to think about how they could make their building durable, environmentally friendly and accessible to all members of the community.
Students worked collaboratively to create their LEGO builds, which included:
- a sensory garden
- an outdoor cinema
- a maze – to help people with their memory, and
- a hotel
Students met to work on their builds in the Library each week at lunch time and the commitment these students demonstrated every week since commencing in Term 3, has been outstanding. Each group also made an informative poster sharing their build journey, which they displayed as a backdrop to their LEGO builds at the Challenge Expo.
The FIRST LEGO League Jr Group sets real-world challenges as the basis for the builds and students learn a lot more than simply how to design and construct a LEGO model. They will also learn and experience the values of the FIRST® Group, which are:
- Discovery: We explore new skills and ideas.
- Innovation: We use creativity and persistence to solve problems.
- Impact: We apply what we learn to improve our world.
- Inclusion: We respect each other and embrace our differences.
- Teamwork: We are stronger when we work together.
https://www.first-lego-league.org › general › what-is-fll
They did an outstanding job and the judges at the expo were so impressed with the students’ creativity, that each team received an award.
Congratulations to our dedicated Year 3 Boomtown builders!
And congratulations and thank you to Jenny Robb for creating this opportunity for students to explore their other talents.
Photos by Jenny Robb; Written by J Robb and D Veary; Posted by D. Veary
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