New facility in Middlesex

Released 12/10/2009

Scandinavian innovation at Stockley Academy

For the pupils of Stockley Academy, in Middlesex, building robots is about to become an everyday part of school life.

The Academy has invested in a new Lego Education Centre (LEC), designed to develop essential skills built around the key areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics and create a hub of innovation and creativity that interacts with the local community.

Students can build their own solutions and use education material which supports a process of learning that includes four phases: connect, construct, contemplate and continue.

The intention is to connect a new learning experience by constructing models and ideas. Students contemplate what they have done and deepen their understanding and continue with new challenges and advanced learning.

After using the hardware to build their Lego creations, simple, icon-based software allows pupils to programme their robots. This encourages them to use their imagination and problem solving skills in the process - can the class build a robot that will guard the room, sounding an alarm when someone comes through the door?
Can they create a ‘power station' that generates energy using wind or water?

"We're thrilled that Lego Education Centres have arrived in the UK," says Jens Maibom, vice president at Lego Education. "The centres have been a huge success in schools across Scandinavia, and we have no doubt that they'll inspire and educate students in Britain in the same way as they have done abroad."

"We're extremely proud to be the first UK school to purchase a Lego Education Centre," said Aftab Ahmed at Stockley Academy. "With a specialism of science and technology, we have established a reputation for being at the cutting edge of education."

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