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Getting children in schools interested in coding and computing is a tricky task. While there schemes in place and great tools and hardware available like the Raspberry Pi, maintaining interest is a hard thing to do.
Step forward toy manufacturer Lego, who has today announced FIRST Lego League and First Lego League Jr. challenges. As part of the Lego Education and in conjunction with FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) schemes, the challenges will enable students to code and teachers to plan and deliver lessons using the Lego Mindstorms education integration with the Apple iPad. Lesson plans are available at LEGOeducation.com/lessons.
“The job market for careers requiring coding skills is growing faster than nearly any other sector, yet a majority of students today aren’t given the opportunity to learn computer programming,” said president of Lego Education, Esben Stærk Jørgensen.
“At Lego Education, we’re focused on sparking students’ curiosity in coding, and across all STEM subjects, and then nurturing and sustaining that interest throughout their education by delivering playful learning experiences that bring subjects to life in the classroom and make learning fun and impactful. Fostering these important skills among today’s youth will teach our leaders of tomorrow that anyone can code and release their potential to shape their own future.”
The Lego Education scheme is available to all students and teachers from across the world. The 2017-2018 Hydro Dynamics challenge, another FIRST Lego League scheme, had over 230,000 students from 90 countries all between ages Nine and Sixteen tasked to create a robot game to identify solutions for water usage and transportation.
