Friday Lego Lab Parent Letter 21 October 2011

Nelson Mandela School-Primary

Friday Lego Lab AG

Parent Letter—21 October 2011

Dear Parents of Friday Lego Lab Participants,

We hope that your child has enjoyed his time in Friday Lego Lab so far this year.  We have had a great deal of fun with free building and plan next to participate in some team projects involving  the use of wheels and axles. 

This year, the Friday Lego Lab is a year round AG that will incorporate much of what we learned last year with a total free building environment combined with a team approach to various topics such as wheels and axles. 

Even though the Lego Lab seems like it is just play, what we hope that students come away with is how to work together to create something and it is important that as much as possible your child participates in the entire time of the Lab each week.  This allows for better teamwork and discipline of the student. 

Also, with the growth of the Lego Lab and the students who are growing along with it, we are in need of more sophisticated Lego materials which are difficult to obtain by donation.  We are asking each student in the Friday Lego Lab to contribute € 40,- towards this cause so that we can purchase some much needed technical Legos for the Klub.  Also, we will continue to accept any new or used Lego donations. 

You may pay cash to Lego Lab Coordinator Shelia Joneleit who will give you a receipt or you may send an Überweisung to the Friends of Nelson Mandela School.  Berliner Volksbank, BLZ 100 900 00, Konto 102 02 32 001, Kunden-Referenznummer:  Lego Lab AG + student’s name.  Cash donations beyond the materials fee are welcome anytime!

First Lego League Robotic Team

We are coming closer to the goal of putting together a First Lego League Robotics Team.  5th & 6th grade science teacher Tom Slodre has started a semester WUV course on Robotics and through interest in that course and older students who might have an interest, we are hoping to start a team in the Spring.  In order to do that however, we need a dedicated coach or two to start the program and to coach on a weekly basis.  If you are interested in coaching, please contact the Lego Lab at legolab@nelson-mandela-school.net. For more information on the Robotic Competition in Germany visit this website:

http://www.hands-on-technology.de/firstlegoleague.

NMS Lego Lab has a blog

Check it out at http://www.nmslegolab.blogspot.com/

Keep on Building!!!!                        

Dear Lego Lab Supporters,

Summertime and the livin' is easy!  This is also a time to do some planning for next year's Lego Lab.

The volunteers, educators and I learned a great deal with our first year of the Lego Lab Project at Nelson Mandela School in Berlin, Germany.  Because of what we discovered, we will be focusing the Labs a little bit differently for next school year.  But first a couple of observations that surprised me in the year.

1)  I had no idea that Lego min-figs would be so important to the students.  Many times, they based their whole idea of what they wanted to build around a min-fig.  I'm old.  When I was a kid we didn't have figures--just basic elements and we used our fingers as people.

2)  Some students just don't want to ever break down their creations.  That's a tough one...what do you do when you have a 6 year old who doesn't want to give up a piece he worked on for a couple of weeks even though it is the end of the school year and everyone else has already busted their stuff.   He was the saddest child I've seen in a long time.

Plans for next year.

We will again hold three different labs but they will be a bit different in approach than this past year.

For the Flex (1st & 2nd grade) and the 3rd/4th grade labs, we will alternate every 8 weeks between Girls and Boys Labs so that girls have the opportunity to experiment with technology with like-minded girls is a safe setting.  The minimum students will be 6 and the maximum will be 12.  We will be introducing the students to all the pieces--basically encouraging students to use the right name but the 6 to 8 week workshops will primarily be a free build.

Last year, the Friday Lego Lab was previously open to all Flex 1-6th graders and was a complete a free build.  This year, I will limit the lab to Flex 2-4th grade and only accept 15 students total for the entire year.  In this year's lab, we will explore together the use of tires, hinges/panels/hitches and wings so that students can have a better grasp of these ideas.  Also, students will work more closely together in teams of three. At the end of the school year, we will have an exhibition of the Lab.  There will still be time for a great deal of free build with the other time to actually do themed exploration.

This will all be in preparation for 5th and 6th grade.  The science teacher has purchased Lego education sets and is planning on using the Robotics sets within the science courses that he teaches.  We hope to eventually begin a Lego Robotics Team beginning with the 5th grade and with that team possibly even reaching into the Secondary School.  But the Robotics Team process has to grow organically and I think it's important to start exploring team work in the lower grades to perhaps move towards this concept.  

I want to thank all the wonderful parents who volunteered this past year:  Noel Bush, Eden Kottke, Gabriela Pardo, Britte Klucke, Matthias Pinzel, Christian Niemitz-Rossant, Christine Ast and Sarah Dent.  Also, I want to thank the great Educators who helped out this year:  Frau Samios, Frau Brooks, Frau Freckmann and Frau Ashley.

Exciting times ahead for the Lego Lab and we hope that can join us on this adventure!
Keep on building
Shelia Joneleit
Lego Lab Coordinator

2011 Spring Lego Lab Update

Dear Parents and Supporters,

2nd Semester Lego Lab is Going Full Speed Ahead!

We have added another Lab to the Schedule and that is for the 3rd/4th Grade Students on Thursdays from 14:40 to 15:55.  This will be a short 8 week lab only and will alternate between all girl and all boy labs.  Parent Volunteer Noel Bush is spearheading this effort and we appreciate all of his great help!  Currently, there are five girls who are having a great deal of fun exploring the different elements on their own time and and in their own way.

Currently, the Monday Flex Lab averages between 20 to 22 boys which is now at maximum for the room.  We are in need of another adult volunteer for this time and if you can make the commitment on a weekly basis, please contact legolab@nelson-mandela-school.net.  Next year, the Flex Lego Lab will also work along the lines as the 3/4 lab:  alternating all girl and all boy labs for 8 week periods.  This will give girls an opportunity to explore technology and boys to explore many other internal workshops that the school currently provides.

The Friday Lego Lab now averages 13 members.  To help facilitate other outside Friday interests and longer playdates, the lab time changed this semester to run from 13:30 to 15:00.  Currently the students in the Friday Lego Lab have been working on a large castle project plus many other fun creative projects.  This Lego Lab is open to all Primary Students from Flex through 6th Grade.

For parents who have children in the Monday or Friday Lego Lab, please don't forget to send in the 20 Euros Material fee.  You child may bring cash to the Lab and your account will be credited or you may send an Überweizung for the 20 Euro materials fee and any additional donations to:

Förderverien der Nelson-Mandela-Schule

Berliner Volksbank

BLZ 100 900 00

Konto 102 02 32 001

We accept material and cash donations!

The Lego Lab will accept any and all donations of both new and gently used Lego elements (basic and technic), old Lego Kits (which will be integrated into existing inventory), directions from various Lego Projects and books about Lego.  Money donations for purchase of new and used materials are always welcome.  

We hope you have a great Spring!

Keep on Building!!!  

Lego Education

Notes from the Meeting with Lego Education

Representative Manuel Frederick

29 November 2010

NMS-Primary Room 301, 16:15-18:00

Mr. Frederick met with three NMS-Primary Teachers:  Tom Zlodre, Sonya Ralph, Wilhelm Holthus and Shelia Joneleit, Parent Coordinator of the NMS Lego Lab.

He came to show us the three major educational concepts of the Lego Education Divison.  First of all, he discussed the Lego Education concepts called the 4c’s:

Connect          --what students create should connect to the real world. 

Construct        --create a Lego machine.

Contemplate    –examine the machine and think about making it better

Continue          –keep exploring and keep experimenting

An example Mr. Frederick showed was a simple machine street cleaner.  In a team, using simple lego directions students create a street cleaning machine and figure out how best to use the arm mechanics through the use of gears. 

The Lego Education Concept also allows the teacher to connect back to the curriculum:

Science:                 working with simple machines, gears, levers, pulleys, transmission of motion

Technology:          programming, using software media, designing, and creating a working model.

Enginnering:         brainstorming solutions, teamwork

Mathematics:        counting, measuring, estimating

Language /Literarcy:  narrative and journalistic writing, storytelling, explaining, interviewing and interpreting. 

With fantastic working models utilizing a laptop PC, Mr. Frederick went on to show us the three major Lego Education Products. 

We-Do Computer Programming with simple robotics geared for 1st-4th grades

Machines & Mechanisms  geared for 3rd-7th grades

NXT Programming—an autonomous Robot system geared for grades 5th +

We-Do Computer Programming introduces students to the use of computers as a programming tool.  Using simples sensors and virtual programming components, students can build programming sequences that can make simple robotic birds sqwak and move their head, hungry crocs close their mouths and more.  A full teacher curriculum in German or English can be downloaded.  And each kit can serve a team of 2 to 4 students at one time.  Of course, a computer with a USB hub is also needed to handle the programming chores.

Machines and Mechanisms are not computer based but look like an incredible amount of fun for students to learn science and math concepts by doing.  Again, a full teacher curriculum in German or English can be downloaded and each kit can serve 2 to 4 students at one time.  No computer is needed for this area.  This area also includes the solar and wind energy components as seperate kits.

Both the We-Do and Machines and Mechanisms utilize a storytelling component with two different sets of min-fig characters. 

The NXT Programming is a fully autonomous robot system that utilizes all the Lego concepts and is completely flexible so there is no written curriculum.  Teachers can create their own curriculum  based on the concepts they want to teach.  Programming is based again on sequencing block components.  Advanced students would also be able to create their own blocks.  Also, five sensors come with every kit so that the flexibility of building a robot is within the hands of the students.  NXT is the programming used in the First Lego League Competition. 

At the end of the presentation, the group discussed how the Lego Education fits in with the eEducation Master Plan.  One of the programs that many schools have worked on is the Roberta Project—an extracurricular program geared to girls who are interested in exploring technology in more of a non-competitive environment. 

This presentation was timely since the NMS-Primary will soon be engaged in an all day work session concerning the NMS Master Technology Plan, a plan the ICT Development Workgroup is preparing that will integrate an overall technolgy (hardware & software) and curriculum plan for the entire school.  Building the plan will also allow deeper funding opportunities from the Berlin Senat. 

The next steps for the Lego Lab Teachers/Educators group would be to decide if they want to begin using these technology products in their own classroom and how they could integrate the concepts into their current curriculum.    If they decide to go in this direction, then a plan could be drawn up in parallel or even in conjunction with the NMS Master Technology Plan. 

In the meantime, in early January, the group should reconvene to discuss the idea of building a First Lego League Lego Lab for 5th grade+ students who have reached the age of 10 through 16 by 1 January.  This activity might possibly be open to all Primary & Secondary students.  The first stage though is to decide as a group if this is a good idea for the school and what implications a new program like this would have on existing extracurriculuar programs such as the Lego Lab and the Odyessy of the Mind Program.    Also, finding coaches who can dedicate their time once or twice per week is a primary consideration. 

Parent Letter--November 25, 2010

Nelson Mandela School-Primary Lego Lab AG

Parent Letter—November 25, 2010

You are invited to a Lego Lab exhibit!!!!!

We have had so much fun in the Lego Lab that we are holding our first ever exhibits as part of our presentation stage of the Lab. 

For this exhibit period, small teams have been created to work a specific theme that each team has chosen.  During the exhibit, we’ll demonstrate the Lego Lock and each team will give a five minute presentation about their co-creations. 

Both Exhibits will occur in the Lego Lab, Room 301, NMS-Primary Altbau. 

Monday, 6 December, 2010, 15:45-16:00

  Monday Lego Lab Exhibit

                

Friday, 10 December, 2010, 15:45-16:00

   Friday Lego Lab Exhibit

Gentle Reminder about the first semester Materials Fee

A number of families have not yet gave their 20 Euro contribution towards the Lego Lab Materials Fee.  Unfortunately in order to start the program, materials had to be purchased along with the organizing tubs.    Even used Legos are not  cheap so we ask your help in this matter so we can continue to replenish the Lego inventory as needed.  20 Euros cash will be accepted or you can send an Überweisung to the Friends of Nelson Mandela School.  Berliner Volksbank, BLZ 100 900 00, Konto 102 02 32 001, Kunden-Referenznummer:  Lego Lab AG + student’s name.  Cash donations beyond the materials fee are welcome anytime!

Still need Lego Element Donations!

The Lego Lab probably has enough basic Legos for 50 students at one time, however there are specific things we are in need of:  Min-figs and/or Min-fig parts, any technical Legos and large Lego Plattes.  If you want to donate regular Legos, we will accept those too!  The best time to donate Legos to the Lego Lab is on Monday or Friday from 15:45 to 16:00. 

Lego Lab Robotic Team

This winter,  Lego Lab volunteers, educators and teachers will begin exploring whether or not a Lego Lab Robotic Competition is something that the students and the school would like to pursue.  If you are interested in assisting on this exploration, please contact the Lego Lab at legolab@nelson-mandela-school.net. For more information on the Robotic Competition in Germany visit this website:

http://www.hands-on-technology.de/firstlegoleague.

NMS Lego Lab has a blog

Check it out at http://www.nmslegolab.blogspot.com/

Keep on Building!!!!                         

NMS Lego Lab Announcement for November 1, 2010

Next Saturday, November 6 from 9:15 to 4:00 the Lego First League will have a Berlin Mind Sport Competition at Motorola GmbH near Tegel Airport.   The address is Am Borsigturm 137, D-13507,  (U6-Verbindungen).   

This is not a sanctioned school event but parents and  Lego Lab members are welcome to attend as audience members.  This is an opportunity especially for older Lego Lab members to find out how Lego Mind Sport Competitions with the idea of perhaps building a team in the future. 

The First Lego League in Europe is a competition for students age 10 to 16 who work together building a lego robot using programming software to make the robot move on a prescribed course.  Also, team members are required to give a five minute research presentation on  each year’s theme. 

Here is information from the hands-on-technology website about this year’s theme:  BODY FORWARD.

This year the FLL Teams discover the exciting world of Biomedical Engineering. With the help of the Challenge Topic “Body Forward” the FLL Participants will explore the cutting edge world of Biomedical Engineering. They discover innovative ways of repairing injuries, overcoming genetic predispositions, and maximizing the body's potential. All with the intended purpose of leading more valuable and healthier lives.

Here is the website address for more information on the program. 

http://www.hands-on-technology.de/en/organisation

Hope to see you there!

Lego Lab Coach Shelia Joneleit

Lego Lab AG

Has a New Location

Room 301!

All Students Welcome on Fridays from

2:00 to 3:45

   

     

Bring yourself and your friends!

Semester based program!

20 Euro Materials Fee per semester!

For Parents,

If you have questions or would like to volunteer for the project, contact in person your child’s Primary Educator or email

 legolab@nelson-mandela-school.net.

Come Build with Us!!!!