LEGO Educational Centeras an integrated part of a school’s

science teaching

Norway (center of the universe)

• 4,737,171 inhabitants• Vikings• World’s third largest oil

and gas producer

Background

• In average Norway uses $10,000 per student per year at the elementary school level

• TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) – Below average

• The Tragedy of Science Education in Norway– Science = Biology

• Non-profit organization• 97 member schools• 34 established LEC’s

What is LEC? The Scandinavian model

• Integrated part of the school’s science teaching

• After school activity as an option

• System and progression– The LEC activities are linked up the schools

teaching plans. • Teachers know what they are expected to teach• Students know what they need to learn

• Every project is linked to the Norwegian national curriculum

• Separate groups

1st and 2nd grade

• Minisets– Students learn how to

follow a set of Lego instruction.

– Work in pairs for 15 min. once a week

3rd and 4th grade

• Bridges and Towers– Learn why some

constructions are more stable than others

– Learn about forces affecting a construction

5th grade

• “Science and Technology” set– Learn about mechanics

• Introduction to the NXT and NXT-G– How to use the move

command and loops

6th grade

• NXT-G programming– More advanced

programming: how to use switches and sensors

• First Lego League– Everyone participates– Teams of 6-9 members

7th grade

• eLab• Datalogging with the

NXT• Open ended projects

First Lego League is an optional after school activity...

The number of girls interested in FLL exploded

How to get girls interested?

Let Lego be a integrated part of the school’s science teaching