Students at Meridian Middle School are putting their creativity and problem-solving skills to the test building robots.
Students are learning to code blocks to build their own Lego robotic creations that perform a task or solve a problem.
This semester-long STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) class helps develop 21st Century Skills including creativity, critical thinking, communication and collaboration through real-world problem-solving. These skills are in high demand with employers and help make sure our students are prepared for life after graduation.
Kelsey Morrison is the STEM class instructor. She explained that skills students learn in this class are applicable in a variety of subjects.
“What I like about a STEM class is that it merges together many different skills that students typically learn separately,” Morrison said. “Skills they learn in this class will help them to think a bit differently about different subjects. For example, learning to use code blocks can help them with arithmetic thinking, which is especially helpful in math.”
During lessons, students access the Lego Education Spike Prime app from their district-issued Chromebooks. The app not only includes instructions, but it is also where students complete their coding work and then send commands to their Lego creation to perform an action or task.
At first, the code blocks are put in place for students so they have to learn to read the code blocks to see if they can figure out what they will do. As students progress, they have to make their own code blocks and troubleshoot how to make their Lego creations do what they want them to do.
During a recent lesson students built robotic hands that were designed to grab Lego blocks to move them from one point to another.
“This is a great class for students who are self-motivated and learn best with hands-on activities,” Morrison said.
Morrison is a new teacher at Meridian Middle School but has already done an excellent job at developing meaningful learning experiences for students that will benefit them in the long-term.
“Ms. Morrison is creating an environment that challenges student thinking and creativity,” Principal Todd Torgeson said. “We are encouraged by her connections and excited to continue to develop this program to connect to future learning in the STEM field for our students.”