FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2003

LEGO Robolab links learning to technology at Kente P.S.
What happens when you pair up students with LEGO? They have an innovative learning experience that’s out of this world!

On Friday, May 2nd, over 2,000 students in 15 centres across Ontario will construct and program LEGO robotic devices as part of the Robotics Challenge Event. Kente Public School will host students from the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board, Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board and Quinte Mohawk School.

Parents, guardians and interested guests are encouraged to visit online for continuous progress updates during the day. As an alternative, feel free to drop by Kente P.S. between 9:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

“From our Board, 86 students from gifted enrichment programs are participating,” says Joan Smith, Gifted Enrichment Project Leader. “The Robotics Challenge Event is a culminating activity for the work they have done over the last year and, in some cases, two years. It is a celebration rather than a competition.”

Students will be cross-grouped in teams to solve the day’s provincial challenges. They’ll be given a scenario, problem statement, specifications, hints and suggestions, and a bonus challenge. From there, students must construct a robot to solve the problem scenario. LEGO Robolab kits aid in construction of the robot. To spur imaginations, light and temperature sensors, motors and other mechanical devices are used to aid in solving the challenges. Throughout the year, some students have been participating in bi-weekly challenges. For every challenge that is completed, the school is rewarded with points toward extra LEGO materials.

Communication between teams is a large component of the event as students keep in touch via email, discussion groups and the Internet to get all pieces of the puzzle. Students at each location will all be given the same design problem that must be solved using the LEGO Robolab materials. The activity requires collaboration between the sites in order to solve all aspects of the problem scenario. At the conclusion of the event, all student teams and teachers will receive recognition for their work on the project.

Satellite hook-ups through the Telesat Project may also link student teams throughout the day. Other Telesat schools will be invited to “drop in” via satellite to view other teams’ work and talk to them.

The Robotics Challenge is a joint initiative with Ontario school boards, independent schools, school authorities, Spectrum Educational Products, LEGO, and the Education Network of Ontario. Funding is provided through the Ontario Ministry of Enterprise, Opportunity and Innovation.

During the three years of the project, 45 school communities have been involved, having direct impact on over 9,000 students and 200 teachers. This year, students from six schools in our jurisdiction will participate: Bancroft Public School, Foxboro Public School, Kente Public School, Madoc Public School, Prince of Wales Public School and Susanna Moodie Public School. Brighton Public School and Quinte Mohawk School students will also be represented at this event.

For information contact:
Joan Smith, Gifted Enrichment Project Leader, (613) 966-9491 x2535 jlsmith@hpedsb.on.ca