It was a blessing to once again work with some amazing educators in Laramie School District in Wyoming these last few days. The focus this time around was on LEGO EV3 Mindstorms.
A year ago I spent time with them exploring the basics of the kit and how to get started. This time around we spent time on:
Day 1: LEGO EV3 & Classroom Connections
Day 2: Science Add On Kit Exploration
The district provided teachers a kit and the Renewable Science Add On pack along with a temperature sensor for attending which is way awesome! I know so many teachers in Iowa that would love to have an opportunity like this to learn and get material for their classroom.
Just like my previous trips here to this district, these educators are amazing. I am blown away by how open-minded, adaptive, and flexible they are in their own learning. I have a philosophy in my teaching and workshops to not hold their hands through a step-by-step approach. I feel like this method works in the short term in the sense that people will follow along and do the steps at the moment, but because it is not learning that they own it is easily lost and forgotten.
I want to model the approach of discovery and wonder and not be one of those people who tell educators to do one thing and their actions are the opposite. With that being said, I tossed them in the deep end early in the session to allow them to own their learning. I helped them as needed, but I believe it is crucial for them to work through the process of things working, not working, not working again, working for a moment, starting over, finally getting something to work AND the euphoria of your own idea coming to life.
We have to experience these emotions ourselves because this is what we expect kids to go through repeatedly in a day in school.
These educators were phenomenal. They developed grit when their ideas did not work as planned. They took notes. They did not give up. They helped one another. They were exactly what any district would want for leaders in the classroom.
You can check out our resources and workshop guide here on the site if you are interested in the details to the days
And here is a short little video documenting some of what we accomplished. I did not capture as much as I had hoped because the days were fast and furious with lots of 80’s music keeping us going in the background, but it will give you a small taste for the wonderful two days we all had together.
I can’t wait to see what these educators do in the classroom in the upcoming school year!
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