iPads, MakerEd and More in Education

Learning for your kids is a hard endeavor if not done properly. And what’s the way, you ask? Well, it usually means involving them in some fun activity through which teaching is seamlessly included. One such example is math using Lego pieces! Division, multiplication, fractions they all seem so easy now, don’t they? As simple as a game, math concepts will be so easily explained to little ones, just look at the featured picture to convince yourself this is true. Who would have thought Lego toys can be used for educational purposes? Well, we are glad to have the opportunity to share this with you. Show it to your fellow educators or parents who struggle with their kids’ math.

LEGO isn’t just a company that makes cool toys (though it does that in spades). The company also has an education arm that brings LEGOs into the classroom. And its latest release is designed to give kids a lesson in more than just brick-based engineering. SPIKE Prime provides lessons in coding, hands-on building, and—most important of all—confidence.

A new program introduced by LEGO Education gives an opportunity to teachers to bring more interdisciplinary resources in the classroom through its Master Educator program.

Danish toymaker LEGO has revealed a new set aimed at helping adults improve their mental wellbeing. Titled "Forma," the set uses LEGO pieces to create the skeleton of a fish, which is then finished with customizable skins. The idea behind the project comes from the view that combining organic forms and mechanical work could help reduce stress and anxiety.

Danish toymaker LEGO has revealed a new set aimed at helping adults improve their mental wellbeing. Titled "Forma," the set uses LEGO pieces to create the skeleton of a fish, which is then finished with customizable skins. The idea behind the project comes from the view that combining organic forms and mechanical work could help reduce stress and anxiety.

Lego artist, Jason Allemann, creates mechanic and robotic kinetic sculptures made entirely out of the famous plastic bricks. You can find detailed instructions on how to make your own versions on his website or YouTube channel.

The women of NASA are finally getting the recognition they deserve. First there was Hidden Figures, then Katherine Johnson got a NASA building named after her, and now the women of NASA are getting the ultimate honor—a Lego set of their own.

There’s nothing unique about loving Lego. Millions of people wax nostalgic when they see those colorful bricks. Millions more never stopped building. I’ve always been a bit in between. I like zoning out by putting stuff together so, every couple of years, I’ll buy a Lego set and build it. But then what? Put it on my shelf? Thanks to the new Lego Boost Creative Toolbox, there’s another possibility. Turning Lego creations into programmable robots makes them fun (and functional) in an amazing new way.

LEGO® Education supports teachers by providing a system that enables Maker learning with age and curriculum-relevant materials that facilitate engaging lessons and, therefore, effective learning. This hands-on, minds-on approach creates active, confident and lifelong learners by enabling a positive mindset and encouraging a self-directed motivation to learn.

At my parenting seminars I am often asked about how much time school-aged children should have to play each day. The common issue seems to be afterschool activities and homework leave very little time for anything else. My answer is always the same…
I believe play is the single most important activity for children to engage in, each and every day, for at least one hour. The research evidence is overwhelming in documenting the power of play for children’s emotional wellbeing, social development and academic achievement.
With so many electronic and battery powered gadgetry on the market it can be hard to find toys which children find engaging yet stimulate creativity, promote intellectual and physical development more than good old fashioned LEGO.
Here are my top three reasons why LEGO should be in your child’s toy collection:

In one of the newest Lego sets under development, the bumps that hold the toys together have a second purpose: They also help children learn Braille. The series of dots on each brick represents a different letter of the Braille alphabet, the numbers zero through nine, and a handful of math symbols.

I have always had a love for hands on learning and play. I have seen this type of learning continue to get stifled in schools with all the pressures mounting on schools, teachers, and students. As stress, fatigue, anxiety, and burnout continue to increase for both students and adults I see a bigger need to help support education with infusing more play and wonder into the classroom.

I have decided to do something about it. After leading several PD sessions and workshops using LEGO and other materials as a way to bring excitement to learning I realize I can do more.

Starting the week of April 15th I will begin a 6 week course on Purposeful Play using only LEGO.

Students undergo a lot of pressure when exams are around the corner. It can be quite a challenge to focus on the task at hand in such a state of mind. This article is going to look at how students can relieve stress by playing with LEGO during exam times.

People normally consider LEGO just a toy, however, it is so much more than just a toy. It exercises your brain and gives you many benefits as a result. Rather than watching cartoons on TV and tablets most of the time, engaging in LEGO can prove to be such an excellent utilization of time and energy.

There is something utterly magical about LEGO. The versatile mini blocks of creation are timeless and perfect for any age group, sparking the imaginations of people around the world.

There is even a good chance that you someone you know got an awesome lego set this past holiday season.

The first Lego pieces made from plant-based plastic sourced from sugar cane will go on sale this year, the company has announced.

The 85-year-old Danish toymaker said production has begun on a range of Lego botanical elements or pieces such as leaves, bushes and trees, made entirely from plant-based plastic. They will start appearing in Lego box sets with bricks and mini-figures later this year.

The move is part of Lego’s commitment to use more sustainable materials in its core products - including its eponymous bricks - and packaging by 2030. Its aim is to find sustainable sources to replace its current fossil fuel-based raw materials, as plastic can also be made from sustainable or bio-based raw materials.

Computer coding with LEGO® is a great introduction to the world of coding using a favorite building toy. Yes, you can teach young kids about computer coding, especially if they are highly interested in computers and how they work. My son was astounded to hear that a person actually wrote/designed the Minecraft game. We even had to use the iPad to look up more about this guy. With the realization that my son could very well make his own game someday, he was pretty interested to learn more about computer coding.

Since 1934, Lego has been a staple in every kids playroom. From wooden toys, to plastic blocks, Lego has now embraced the tech generation with their Lego Technic sets. Kids can build, animate, and play popular vehicles and equipment, as well as learning important design and engineering basics. Created with learning in mind, they feature movable and working parts. Some kits will include a motor to power up the vehicle, while other smaller sets don’t include a motor, but are compatible with a powered motor add on kit. The more complex builds are geared towards older kids, while the easier basic models are a good start for younger builders. Here are the 12 best Lego Technic sets that are sure to get kids more interested in how moving parts work.

This giant collection of LEGO challenge cards is a simple prep, fun way to sneak some STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) learning into the day. With cards that range from easy to difficult, little engineers will love tackling the designs. Grab your set below and add them to a classroom center, engineering activity, homeschool lesson, or free play. There are so many ways to use these cards!

LEGOs can be tough to keep organized, but over on IKEA Hackers, they’ve put together a guide that fits a number of IKEA parts together with a few third-party drawers to get things organized.

The setup here uses a large Trofast frame and storage boxes, integrates a work lamp, and tosses in some casters to make it easy to move. That’s all alongside labels for every different part and smaller drawers for some of the pieces. The whole thing is a masterclass in organization and well worth a look if you (or your kids) have a disorganized set of LEGOs all over the place.