Learning to LEGO—Atlanta Elementary’s April Britton, media and technology specialist, introduced students to the Think Room’s new LEGO wall Tuesday night at their back to school roundup. The LEGO wall is an innovative way for students to create and
Atlanta Elementary’s Think Lab introduces LEGO wall to students
Atlanta Elementary’s Think Lab students will LEGO of the desk and get hands-on with their new creation space for innovative project planning.
April Britton, Atlanta Elementary’s media and technology specialist said she was excited to introduce students to the new LEGO wall last week.
“We were fortunate to have Atlanta Education Foundation fund the materials to build the LEGO wall,” Britton said. “It offers a different perspective for all the students.”
Britton said the LEGO wall is a hands-on learning tool used to help student’s visualize their creations/ideas by encouraging them to build project plans from the wall out.
The LEGO wall It is the latest addition to the school’s interactive Think Lab—a place where innovative tools inspire students to imagine, create, investigate and problem solve like never before.
The lab’s goal is to help with development of positive thinking, patience and perseverance while learning to take risks.
Britton said Think Lab has introduced other tools for student success. Students in STEM Camp actually built robots this summer with circuit building tools.
Other innovative technology used in the lab includes Bloxels, a program that lets students code and design their own video game; KANO (Keeping on the edge of outside learning) coding systems, with computers that can be taken apart; a 3D printer, virtual reality headsets for a 360 viewpoint that uses the Google Expeditions application.
Britton said Friday’s are an exciting day for Think Lab, when the BEST program takes place.
“BEST is believing in every student counts,” Britton said. “We are very proud of this.”
BEST students choose something they are interested in learning—like archery, landscaping, music video production, cosmetology, etc.—and the school helps them realize these projects. Britton said last spring, the goal was to make a product or demonstration and one student learned to use a round loom to make hats for the homeless.
The LEGO Wall will undoubtably add to the enrichment of the Think Lab and student education as a whole. The Atlanta Education Foundation’s support, along with hard working educators has made things like LEGO walls a dream come true.
“We love these kids, so we do it for them,” Britton said.