Sometimes the basic elements of society can help make even the darkest ideas a reality. In this case, those building blocks are Legos.
Heather Brantley, CTE Digital Communications Specialist, discusses the Lego Build the Change initiative taking place at Pine Tree Junior High and facilitated by Take Action Global. For her efforts, she was recently recognized by tech & Learning with a Innovative Leader Award Innovative STEM Program Award.
Building a better world. . . with legos?
Legos are very popular and can be used to build any number of structures. Brantley says that joining the Take Action Global Lego Build the Change Institutes Pique students' interest in providing solutions to real-world problems.
“Last year, through Take Action Global, I had the opportunity to be part of the Lego Build the Change institute,” says Brantley. “Take Action Global did an incredible job. They partnered with the LEGO Group, independent of LEGO for Education. And what they did in those six weeks was present very open problems. “Students had to create (solutions) with Legos.”
Students had the opportunity to choose from a list of real-world challenges, such as designing sustainable schools, or teachers could choose from them.
“It was an open process, but it led to conversations looking for solutions,” Brantley says. “So one thing Lego represents is building through play and action. Take Action Global looks at how we can find solutions to climate problems through play.”
Sustainability and climate issues may seem like important topics for students to consider, but adding an element of play can inspire them to find solutions in new and innovative ways.
Building a program brick by brick
The Build the Change initiative uses common rules of the game so that the student sees problems from a different perspective. Legos can be used to build all kinds of structures, but how is this applied in a school under the banner of education?
“I always tell my students that they are bigger than the classroom,” Brantley says. “'You're bigger than the school walls. You are bigger than the city you live in, and to us, you are bigger than Texas. Your voice needs to be heard.' I have tried to give those opportunities.”
The Brantley district requested that its high school campus be a Lego school, inspiring other campus leaders to participate as well. Take Action Global ultimately adopted five of the district's campuses into the program.
“Of the 25 (participating school spots) for this year, Pine Tree fills five of those spots,” Brantley says. “With this, we become the first to do this at the district level.”
How can this program grow to include more schools and districts? Asking about it may be the easiest way to get involved, as word of mouth has helped other districts join.
“I absolutely see this as the start of something great as the word gets out,” Brantley says. “I didn't know, then I learned through the institute how to be part of the model schools. Then I wanted to know what the next steps were and if we could scale up the program.”
What is Brantley's advice for other teachers?
“Ask the questions. In the worst case, they say no,” he says. “And I really think it's important for people to realize that if it doesn't work the first time, it may just not be the time. Don't give up. Continue having those conversations later. Follow up, make sure everyone is still on board and going.”
Making your voice heard as a student can be a huge help in your formative years. The Build the Change initiative not only provides solutions to problems in innovative ways, but also allows students to feel more involved in the world around them, engaging them in a way that standard education could not.
