Laxton Junior School launch LEGO Experience Day and build Olympic Village

Published on isbi School News dated Friday 3rd of February 2012

Pupils at Laxton Junior School in Oundle have spent two amazing days this week, creating an Olympic village of Olympic proportions, in the school hall using LEGO and DUPLO. Laxton Junior School are the first Independent school in the UK to become a LEGO Education Centre and incorporate LEGO Education into their curriculum; and now they are the first to run LEGO Experience Days for the whole school.

Rob Widger from LEGO Education UK, ran the workshop with support from LJS staff. This was the first time LEGO have attempted an event like this and it was a huge success. Rob said 'LEGO is a powerful learning tool that the children can include in their daily lessons to enhance their knowledge.'

Each year group, were set different challenges.

* Year 6 built robotic shot putters using LEGO NXT technology to throw balls as well as building buses which followed set routes and automatically stopped at bus stops to transport the spectators.
* Year 5 data logged using robots to check for leaks in the swimming pool pipes.
* Year 4 created tiered seating for spectators in the stadium; a strict budget had to be followed...
* Year 3 designed houses in the Olympic village for the competitors.
* Year 2 used WEDO to make noisy, appreciative spectators.
* Year 1 and Reception put the finishing touches to the Olympic village with flora and fauna, bridges and other details.

Mrs Sarah Ashby, Heat of Art at LJS, and organiser of the workshop said, 'The children loved their challenges; they were given opportunities that many can only dream of, becoming engineers, architects, designers, technicians, scientists and surveyors. They encountered problems and invented their own solutions, making their own discoveries along the way.'

Some of the Year 3 pupils, comments:

James 'The most brilliantest thing ever!'.
Marcus 'It was amazing to see how much you can make from LEGO'.
Kiera 'The Legoman was so organised'.
Pictures: Boy age 4, Girl age 4, Village staff and children working on the village. Group - Some of the Reception children showing the village under construction.