Grade 2 Creates Models Using Lego Spike Essentials to Address Water Issues
Primary Design integrated with Grade 2 on their unit about the consequences of human actions on water resources. We used our new Lego Spike Essential kits containing classroom brick sets that allowed the students to create models using Lego and connect to an intuitive SPIKE™ app. The iPad app connects to the hub or the computer relaying the code to make the motors and sensors.
First, we learned about the different parts of the kit and explored the motor and sensor tutorials. Once we knew how to connect the hub and the motors and sensors using Bluetooth, we chose one challenge and built the model complete with code to make it move.
The next step for Grade 2 was to reflect on what they have learned from their unit about human actions’ effects on water resources. The Design teachers challenged them to create a model that addressed the issues they discussed in the unit, such as overfishing, water pollution, water wastage, and other relevant concerns.
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- 2J building and coding their Lego models 1
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- 2J building and coding their Lego models 2
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- Anzar and Awez
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- Keyvan and Raphael
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- Mehwish and Aarav
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- Mikail and Ishita
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- Sabiq and Taqbiir
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- Wajahat and Zunairah
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- 3 Unit Celebration 19 March 2023
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- 3 Unit Celebration 19 Mar 2023
The process of designing and creating their models posed many challenges as many forgot to connect their models to our concerns focusing on water. Many models did not incorporate the motors and the sensors, so the groups needed to rethink how to redesign them. The Grade 2 students went through a lengthy process of building and re-building based on reflection questions from their Design teachers.
Once they finished building the models, the students needed to write the code in the app to make the motors and the sensors work.
The students worked diligently to finish their models even when they needed extra time for the models to be ready for display during their unit celebrations.
It was the first time 2nd-graders used the Lego Spike Essential kits in Design. Throughout the design process, students demonstrated being Risk-Takers by working cooperatively with their partner to explore the new kits and finding new ways and solutions to the challenges of conserving water.
Liza Requiso and Ataur Rahman
Primary Design Teachers
