Kindergarten through fifth-grade students have had the unique opportunity to participate in a robotics and software afterschool program during the 2015-2016 school year at Valverde Elementary. The LEGO Engineering Club engages students in reading, science and mathematical activities to produce a robotics product every Monday after school. 
Students learn problem-solving skills while working in a rigorous and collaborative environment designed to stimulate interest and excitement in science and math. This program was funded in part by the Denver Public Schools Foundation’s A to Z Fund, which helps provides grants to individual schools for programs and activities that go beyond schools’ limited budgets.
“It is the most popular afterschool program that is offered at Valverde,” says Brian Truax, Dean of Operations at Valverde Elementary. “It is a full house for every LEGO night.”
Seeing the LEGO Engineering Club in action is quite a sight. Each class focuses on building a completely different project—each with a new concept for students to learn. One week, the class all worked together to build a tower that touched the ceiling. This taught collaboration and the proper process to build something by starting at the foundation and the importance of ensuring a solid structure. At the end, the students were able to knock the tower down, which enforced the concept of gravity—everything is going to fall down at some point!
“The tower is probably my favorite project so far. I’ve never built anything that tall! We have a lot of fun every week,” said third-grade student Anderson with LEGOS in hand.
This week, the students learned about motors and the concept of “meshing” when building their own robots. After building their own robot, each student had the chance to “combat” his partner’s robot and see which one could stay on the track the longest.
“This program makes learning more fun. Kids get to play and learn with their hands, which makes the concepts more exciting and real. I wish I had the opportunity to do something like this back when I was in school,” said LEGO Engineering Club instructor Craig from Play Well, a LEGO inspired engineering program for students K-8.
To find out more about A to Z Fund and how it can help enhance classroom learning, click here.
