Lower School LEGO Engineering Projects
 Welcome to the Lower School Engineering page. Engineering projects are integrated into the science and computer curriculum of The Blake School. Students in primary grades begin learning about engineering and its importance to our world through a series of activities titled Engineering By Design-Lego Based Building Lessons written and designed by professionals at Tufts University. Topics explored include things made by people or made by nature, what engineers do, building together, build a sturdy wall and math related to LEGOs.
Primary students also spend some time in the Engineering and Programming lab learning a different type of literacy. Students are introduced to the concept of following 2D directions to create 3D LEGO designs. One of the building kits used in kindergarten is DUPLO kit 9660, Early Structures. In first grade, students build a better house using LEGO kit 5477 and second graders test the physics of friction as they create a rubber band powered LEGO car and try engineer it to travel a distance over nine feet. Second graders also build a variety of 3D LEGO sculptures using LEGO kits 4884, 4507, 4101, 4892 and 4506.
The LEGO RCX or Yellow Brick is introduced in the intermediate grades. Third graders follow 2D plans to create an object, often a fan or a set of windshield wipers, and program the object. Intermediate aged students use MicroWorlds EX Robotics version to interface with and control the LEGO RCX Brick. Students are assessed on a number of skills demonstrated during these building and programming units. Skills assessed include application of basic building principles, interfacing MicroWorlds EX Robotics and LEGO hardware as well as their knowledge and application of Logo programming.
The fourth grade studies gears in the classroom using the LEGO Dacta Gear Set 9610. After this science unit is complete fourth graders move to the Engineering and Programming lab and create an amusement park ride. They design and assemble an amusement park ride out of LEGO parts, some lamps, and a motor. Next they use a Yellow Brick to connect their ride to a computer using MicroWorlds EX Robotics to program their creations to do their bidding.
The fifth grade students design and assemble a robotic vehicle using LEGO Mindstorms kit 9786. The vehicle is constructed around a Yellow Brick. Once the vehicle is complete, students use infrared technology to interface with a computer and program their vehicle using EX Robotics. During course of the unit, teams invite their parents, friends, classmates, and teachers to visit the computer lab to observe the process that each team is going through and to share their project to date.
- LEGO Dacta Projects
- Gear Systems
- Robotics Projects
- Build a Better House Projects
- LEGO Sculpturing Projects
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