Lego Boost – A hands on approach to coding in the classroom!


Subject:
Digital Technologies

Strand
:
Design and Technology

Sub-strand: Design and technologies process and production skills

Bands: 3 to 7

 

 

Boost is Lego’s latest introduction of Lego robotics to 2017. Boost is a step up from Lego’s Mindstorms and WeDo 2.0 robotics kits, introducing movement to Lego. Boost gives students the opportunity to engage in the active learning process, whereby students construct their own learning. Boost is not only fun, but it’s also educational. Using the software available on the Lego Boost website, teachers can tailor learning experiences which are relevant, hands on and fun, while learning the fundamentals of coding and computational thinking.

 How?

Boost has over 60 different coding activities available. Teachers can select the activity they would like to incorporate into their learning experience from the Boost App, available for most Android and Apple devices. Coding with Lego is easy, students demonstrate their problem solving skills and ability to think critically by programming their Lego Boost creation to suit the learning task. Boost Lego has special bricks including a motor and sensors, which gauge surrounding colours and distance from objects in its path.

 

LEGO Boost isn’t available until August 2017, however children and adults are bursting to try this new technology!

Content Descriptors

Year 3 to Year 4

  • Generate, develop, and communicate design ideas and decisions using appropriate technical terms and graphical representation techniques (ACTDEP015)
  • Select and use materials, components, tools, equipment and techniques and use safe work practices to make designed solutions (ACTDEP016)
  • Plan a sequence of production steps when making designed solutions individually and collaboratively (ACTDEP018)

Year 5 to Year 6

  • Generate, develop and communicate design ideas and processes for audiences using appropriate technical terms and graphical representation techniques (ACTDEP025)
  • Select appropriate materials, components, tools, equipment and techniques and apply safe procedures to make designed solutions (ACTDEP026)
  • Develop project plans that include consideration of resources when making designed solutions individually and collaboratively (ACTDEP028)

Year 7 to Year 8

  • Critique needs or opportunities for designing and investigate, analyse and select from a range of materials, components, tools, equipment and processes to develop design ideas (ACTDEP035)
  • Select and justify choices of materials, components, tools, equipment and techniques to effectively and safely make designed solutions (ACTDEP037)
  • Use project management processes when working individually and collaboratively to coordinate production of designed solutions (ACTDEP039

General capabilities 

  • Literacy
  • Numeracy
  • Science
  • Critical Thinking and Creative Thinking
  • Personal and Social capability
  • Information and Communication Technology

 

Further Information

Lego Boost CNN Report

LEGO Boost Official Website

LEGO WeDo Official website

Bits and Bricks

Youtube – Boost LEGO in Education

Youtube – WeDo LEGO in Education

Lego Computer Coding Activities

 

 

By Emily Richardson

Timber Sleuth – Design and Technology

Subject: Technology

Strand: Design and Technologies

Sub-Strand: Knowledge and Understanding

Bands: Foundation to 2

Learning Resource Type: Interactive resource

 

 

Timber Sleuth!

Timber sleuth is an interactive application that can be found on the Apple App Store. This App transforms learning into a fun and easy educational form, suitable for independent or collaborative work, with plenty of room for extension!

In this App Students will identify a range of familiar items made from timber. Upon completion of each activity students will be provided with further information on the uses and types of timber used in the items they are selected. The App gives details on why such material has been used for the job and the properties of said material. within the App their are two settings,’Under construction’ and ‘Home sweet home’. Students can explore each setting zooming in or out, while selecting items to learn more about their materials and properties.

Content Descriptors

Design and Technology:

  • Explore the characteristics and properties of materials and components that are used to produce designed solutions (ACTDEK004)
  • Investigate the suitability of materials, systems, components, tools and equipment for a range of purposes (ACTDEK013)

Science:

  • Objects are made of materials that have observable properties (ACSSU003)
  • Different materials can be combined for a particular purpose (ACSSU031)
  • With guidance, plan and conduct scientific investigations to find answers to questions, considering the safe use of appropriate materials and equipment (ACSIS054)
  • Natural and processed materials have a range of physical properties that can influence their use (ACSSU074)

General Capabilities:

  • Literacy
  • Science
  • Personal and Social capability
  • Information and Communication Technology

Links and Further Reading

Timber Sleuth App

Scootle – Timber Sleuth

 

By Emily Richardson, 2017