Teaching with LEGO

I am passionate about teaching people the principles of lean and six sigma but this passion is nothing compared to how badly I want my children to learn and grow into well rounded/successful citizens.

I often joke about how I intend to teach my kids about lean and six sigma principles at a young age. And, in fact, I am really not joking at all as I am already planting seeds with my kids on some basic principles like “point of use” and “5S.”

With this said, I think I may have found another method to help me nurture and stretch their little minds even more. And this method is with LEGO!

Below is an email my wife recently got which I think speaks for itself. They do touch on some things that I will want to investigate such as the whole “technology” and “robots” aspect. The last thing I want is for my kids to think we need to buy expensive computer systems to solve problems. But all in all it looks like a solid program.

And who knows, perhaps I can round up folks like Mark Graban and Rick Foreman (local DFW lean gurus) and head on over to the LEGO center to get some full fledged lean manufacturing and six sigma principles built into the curriculum. Now that would be cool!

Here is the email in full.

Subject: LEGO Education Center Pilot Classes

In mid-September the first LEGO Education Center in the United States will be opening in Southlake, TX. The LEGO Education Center is not a new concept. There are over 150 centers in Japan, Singapore, China, and Australia.

The LEGO Education Center will offer 12 week courses for children ages 3 and up to 9 years. Each course is designed to provide valuable learning experiences for specific age levels. Qualified teachers will guide and support the children to solve problems through creative thinking, logic, and teamwork.

The LEGO Education Center is a fun, safe learning environment where children will eagerly expand their awareness of self and surroundings through creative thinking.

The LEGO Education Center courses will engage children in fun activities while developing social skills, communication skills, and critical thinking skills for problem-solving. We will use LEGO education products in each lesson and children will be introduced to concepts and vocabulary in ways that relate to their own lives.

For example, in one lesson, four-year-olds may be asked to construct a set of stairs that will allow the LEGO figures to reach a rooftop for an outdoor dinner party. They will have the opportunity to discuss their own knowledge and experiences and apply these connections to solving the problem. The children will be challenged to work together to find a viable solution, which allows the figures to reach their rooftop destination.

The eight-year-old courses involve robotics. The children will explore design, technology, and engineering through project-based lessons that utilize computers, blue-tooth devices, and robots.

The LEGO Education Center will be offering pilot classes in our temporary facility from August 22nd through September 13. The classes will be for 3-4 year olds, 5 year olds, 6-7 year old, and 8-9 year olds (robotics). Family classes will also be offered.

The classes will be $15 per child per class.

If you would be interested in signing up please contact us for more information on dates, times, and class offerings.

Carolyn Finch
LEGO Education Center
972-393-4259

Temporary Offices:
556 S. Coppell Rd
Suite 100
Coppell, TX 75019

Coming this September to:
2315 E. Southlake Blvd.
Suite 110
Southlake, TX 76092
http://www.legoeducationcenter.us
http://www.LEGO.com/education

“An education that will last a lifetime.”

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