FIRST LEGO League 1102012 Presented by Nick Swayne
FIRST LEGO League 1/10/2012 Presented by Nick Swayne
Defining i. STEM • Teaching contextually within the framework of STEM – Elements of each [STEM] discipline pulled together to make them meaningful and relevant to the participants – Incorporating all core subjects - demonstrating their relevance and interdependence (language arts, social studies) i. STEM 1/10/2012 Social Studies, Language Arts, Scientific Method Research Project Core Values (Teamwork) STEM Robot Design Robot Performance Presented by Nick Swayne Teamwork, Problem Solving, Community Engagement, Collaboration, Division of Labor Competition, Excitement, “Coopertition, ” Public Recognition
History and Impact of FIRST LEGO League • • • Pilot program in 1998 – 200 teams (US and Canada) 11, 368 teams registered for 2011 -12 Food Factor (US and Canada) 2008 -09 Brandeis study cites “increased affect towards STEM” Inspired network: participants ---- sponsors Venue for STEM kids to get some “Pop Culture” attention Annual challenge theme with topics relevant to the participants 1/10/2012 Presented by Nick Swayne
FIRST LEGO League relevance to i. STEM • FLL sparks inspiration and passion for learning • FLL provides multiple answers to the classic question: “Why do I need to learn this? ” • FLL provides: – – – apply math, engineering and science concepts to real world problems research and propose solutions to real world problems facing today’s scientists develop their creativity in the problem solving process create innovative solutions inspiration for everyone – particularly those who never considered STEM Creativity FIRST LEGO League Knowledge 1/10/2012 Presented by Nick Swayne Thinking
Most Important Successes
Most Important Successes What motivates our great inventors and scientists? FIRST LEGO League • • • Growth – 200 to 11, 368 in 12 years Parental involvment Adult mentors Complex and critical thinking Relevant, responsive, thematic structure shared globally • ~ 75, 000 inspired kids in the US each year 1/10/2012 Presented by Nick Swayne
Challenges faced with i. STEM • No easy “evidence” of increased student performance in tested subjects – Disparity between what we want, what we measure, and what we can measure – “ 21 st Century skills” hard to define, quantify, calibrate, and measure • Availability of passionate, “well-qualified” coaches and mentors particularly in underserved areas • Some administrators and teachers don’t see the relationship between FLL [i. STEM] and student performance • Teacher preparation – ability to teach content and application/creativity/thinking • “Forced” implementation/teaching may take fun/creativity/thinking out of it 1/10/2012 Presented by Nick Swayne
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