Knowledge and creativity came together for a learning activity that brought Middleburgh High School students to the elementary school to present their project to Pre K-5 students for review. During Legomania, the classwork of older students became play for their younger counterparts.
Technology teacher Scott Gray had his Design and Drawing for Production class use a computer drafting software package to design custom Lego sets. The assignment required the creation to have at least 20 pieces, with at least one newly designed piece produced on the school’s 3D printer. Then the students developed age-appropriate CAD isometric instructions on how to build the sets.
Next, it was time to test their designs.
On June 6, the CAD/CAM 3D class submitted their creations for quality control testing and critique at the elementary school cafeteria.
Grade 4 student Leeom Fletcher hardly broke his concentration to answer questions about the design he was building. He said he liked it and immediately returned to work reading the schematic and assembling pieces. He was working on a truck designed by freshman Oliver Simeon.
“Mr. Gray gave us free rein in deciding what type of kit to design,” said Simeon. “He had a PowerPoint with the dimensions of each Lego. At first, it was a little hard to learn how to do it, but it became easier. It was a fun project.”
Simeon said the assignment gave him a greater appreciation for the professionals who design Lego sets.
It was the end-users who had the final say. After elementary students built the new kits, they completed a survey about their experience. Gray talked to the young reviewers about their role, telling them they were grading the student designers.
“And I want you to be hard on them,” Gray said. “When you evaluate this, you can tell the truth.”
As some elementary students built the kits and filled out the survey, others designed their own Lego creations. In an instant, one girl switched from building a house to turning it into a home on wheels. What seems like play for her now may become coursework in the future.
“I’m Mr. Gray,” Gray told elementary students as they entered the cafeteria. “I will be your technology teacher in a few years.”
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