Not Your Typical Classroom
Established in 2001, LEGO® Education Centers can be found in several countries around the world including Japan, Korea, China, Singapore, Australia, and most recently, the United States.
Designed to provide after-school activities that supplement the traditional learning environment, LEGO Education Centers offer a friendly environment with lots of open space where children can have fun while building skills like creativity and problem solving.
Mimicking today’s educational system, Center courses are offered by age level. Each course is divided into four 12-week units, which, completed consecutively, equal a full year’s worth of curriculum.
Each unit is facilitated by qualified Center staff and limited to a small number of participants. The goal is to keep the group modest so each child can excel at his or her own pace.
Each 12-week unit focuses on a different theme relating to the course title. Children meet weekly to explore various aspects of the theme, using tailor-made educational LEGO sets. Curriculum-based skills such as science, technology, and mathematics are taken to a higher level when students use LEGO sets to build and design solutions.
A unique component to Center activities is the opportunity for children to work with their hands.
Hands-on learning is the core of LEGO Education. By using their hands, children are able to easily connect with a problem and utilize cognitive thinking skills to find various solutions. Through this hands-on approach, every child is required to test their own ideas and discover what works or what doesn’t work for their specific situation.
Younger children are given LEGO bricks and sets to create structures that reflect their imagination, while older children are challenged to complete missions using LEGO robotics. Each child is encouraged to work at his or her own speed and skill level, essentially creating an environment where the child is not judged on his or her abilities, but given the necessary support to enhance their understanding of the problem and how he or she can create a solution.
They are taught how to cooperate with others, express their opinions, challenge themselves and celebrate their uniqueness. Activities that are based on construction and problem solving allow children to learn not only by listening, reading, or writing but also by using their body and spatial intelligence.
Today, thanks to the programs and staff at LEGO Education Centers worldwide, children are exposed to playful learning that will impact their future development and strengthen their educational journey.
Currently LEGO Education is collecting contact information from individuals interested in managing or volunteering at a LEGO Education Center in the U.S. If you would like to submit your name and contact information for this database, e-mail dsmith@LEGOeducation.com.
