Toy maker Lego has announced a robot-based learning system, which will help teachers educate children about science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), while offering something fun and familiar.
The WeDo 2.0 robotics kit combines a Lego brick set with a Bluetooth-enabled hub and motor motion and tilt sensors, plus the software needed to make the creation come to life.
Students are set challenges they must complete using the kit, which could involve physically building a robot, developing new actions for their creation or other actions that encourage them to learn.
With the kit, teachers are provided with 40 hours of lessons, but they can of course set their own challenges if they wish. Projects aren’t necessarily just related to robot-building either. They also aim to teach children about other subjects, including recycling, pollination and other topics that are directly related to STEM skills.
Kids will be encouraged to ask questions about how to solve problems, analyse the data generated from many of these projects and presenting their findings to the rest of the class to boost their communication skills too.
Lego’s WeDo 2.0 robotics kit is only available for schools to buy at the moment, selling it as a per-classroom model, from $2,000, dependng on the number of kits needed.
The entire system is compatible with PCs, Macs and iPads as well as Android tablets and smartphones. Although the Chromebook isn’t supported yet, Lego will be adding compatibility later this year due to demand from schools using the low-cost laptops in the classroom.
