Teaching Basic Engineering Concepts In K 12 Environment Using Lego Bricks And Robotics

Abstract

This paper explores the impacts of basic engineering concepts of LEGO Bricks and Robotics in Coral Academy of Science in Reno, Nevada -a Science, Math and Technology Middle and High School -collaborated with the Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). A team from middle school students designed and developed a LEGO Robot and has competed, for the first time in the State of Nevada, in FIRST LEGO League (FLL) using LEGO Mindstorm technology. On the other hand, a high school robotics team built an actual robot and participated in FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC). The teams had partnership through NASA Nevada Space Consortium grant and some local sponsors. The school, at the beginning of the first year, set up Middle School LEGO and High School Robotics clubs where various basic engineering concepts were covered. The Robotics club eventually transformed to an elective Robotics class. Several local engineers, graduate students, and parent volunteers contributed to these projects. At the end of the academic year, the projects provided a great success in the following five areas; (1) Student achievement and inspiration, (2) Creating a pipeline for the Science, Math, Engineering and Technology workforce, (3) Public-private partnerships and institutional collaboration, (4) Involvement of women and racial/ethnic minorities in this very valuable experience, (5) An excellent recruitment tool for engineering colleges. This paper will present the details of these implementations and current assessment results.