Lego donation to bolster STEAM programs at Mattapoisett schools
Jan 19, 2022
Old Hammondtown School students with the LEGO Spike educational sets they will soon be working with in class. Photos courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55.
The LEGO donation will help support the STEAM education in the schools, educators said.
MATTAPOISETT _ Center School and Old Hammondtown School have received LEGO Spike educational sets to enhance elementary STEAM learning, Principal Rose Bowman and Superintendent Michael S. Nelson have announced.
The schools’ technology programs received the materials through a STEM Week demo and grant program by New England First, a robotics community, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The schools received LEGO Education Spike Essential kits and LEGO Education Spike Prime kits, as well as various add-on sets, expansion sets and challenge sets that go along with the kits.
The total value of the equipment is about $6,000.
The kits will be used by students at each school to help apply STEAM concepts through hands-on work. They will be able to work in groups to build with the kits, as well as learn and practice coding and mechanical skills.
“These kits will be a fantastic addition to our students’ technology education. Their use is very customizable as students can build, code and disassemble the kits during one class period, or they can be worked on for several hours. Each student will also be able to work in every team role to practice building, coding and mechanics,” technology teacher Lisa Lourenco said. “Importantly, the kits will help to teach students persistence and problem solving skills through the trial-and-error process. I am very appreciative to New England First and WPI for this opportunity, and look forward to implementing the kits at both schools.”
Lourenco also received software and curriculum guides, and is attending four days of training and professional development on incorporating the materials into the classroom.
“STEAM concepts and hands-on activities help to facilitate creation, collaboration, critical thinking and communication which are all skills that will benefit our young learners as they grow,” Bowman said.
“Hands-on work greatly benefits our students’ education, and these kits will go a long way in enhancing our elementary technology lessons,’’ Nelson added. “Thank you to New England First and WPI for their support of our students and educators.”
The kits will be deployed for second and third grade students at Center School in the coming weeks, and for grades K-1 at Center School and grades 4-6 at Old Hammondtown School in the spring.
