LEGO education has introduced a new coding and robotics set called ‘spike prime’, designed to introduce middle schoolers to robotics, engineering, and coding. targeted towards children in grades 6-8, the idea is to get students hands-on with lessons, developing their confidence as well as their coding abilities – an issue LEGO education has identified as driving kids away from STEM subjects.

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images courtesy of LEGO

 

 

the spike prime kit brings together LEGO bricks, a programmable, multi-port hub, sensors and motors, that students can get to know and understand before using to them to build various creations. instead of pointing students toward complex projects, the point is to focus on basic knowledge and practicality.

LEGO's break dancing robot could replace pens and paper in schools designboom

 

 

kids can make a breakdancing robot or a racing car but this isn’t the end goal. the point is to give students and teachers the tools to enable practical learning experiences in the classrooms that extend beyond the traditional pen and paper objectives. for example, robot designs are built in sections so students have to work together throughout construction, which teaches skills like delegation and collaboration.

LEGO's break dancing robot could replace pens and paper in schools designboom

 

 

the spike prime kit retails at $330 and includes 523 technic pieces which can be used to build many different creations. LEGO education has also introduced some new technic bricks with the kit. they include a 3×3 frame used to make building easier, a base plate that can be used to prototype students’ designs, wheels that are easy to mount to motors, and even wire clips to keep it all tidy.

LEGO's break dancing robot could replace pens and paper in schools designboom

 

 

builds can be programmed using a LEGO-made app built off the scratch language. the spike app includes lessons aligned to certain standards and making it easy for teachers to take spike prime into the classroom. there are 33 lesson plans in all, each structured to last 45 minutes. coding requires confidence according to LEGO education, and with the expectation that future generations be digitally literate a more hands-on approach could really help.

LEGO's break dancing robot could replace pens and paper in schools designboom

 

 

‘we are seeing a challenge globally in middle school children, typically aged 11-14,’ explains esben stærk jørgensen, president of LEGO education. ‘at that age, children start losing their confidence in learning. the confidence poll data shows that most students say if they failed at something once, they don’t want to try again.’

LEGO's break dancing robot could replace pens and paper in schools designboom

 

 

‘with spike prime and the lessons featured in the spike app, these children will be inspired to experiment with different solutions, try new things and ultimately become more confident learners. and for teachers, time is the ultimate barrier. the lesson plans, resources and models make it so easy for teachers to integrate spike prime into the classroom.’

 

the new product will be ready for purchase in all markets in august 2019. spike prime is available today for pre-order in the US at the LEGO education website.

 

project info

 

manufacturer: LEGO

name: spike prime kit

price: $330

available: pre-order now / purchase august 2019