September 2023: Partnership is Key to Success
Partnership is key to the success of the FIRST LEGO League programme in Ireland and September was all about working in partnership with the incredible teachers and youth workers who will lead our next generation of innovators through this FIRST LEGO League MASTERPIECE season.
We began the month spending an afternoon of fun playing and learning with the LEGO Education STEAM Parks with 15 Irish Girl Guides Leaders and Senior Branch members from across Ireland in their new National Training Centre in Tallaght. These amazing women will introduce their Ladybirds to the world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) through hands-on, interactive learning using LEGO Duplo elements. Through participation in the #Discover programme, they will learn to identify problems and work together to find creative solutions. They’ll collaborate in teams to create their MASTERPIECE and be introduced to fundamental engineering concepts like building structures, simple machines and mechanisms through hands-on activities with their LEGO Duplo bricks. They’ll build confidence, be creative and innovative and practice communicating their ideas, all while having lots of FUN! The Irish Girl Guides have partnered with The IET, Learnit and the DCU LEGO Education Innovation Studio since 2016 to support over 1,500 girls and young women to participate in FIRST LEGO League Discover, Explore and Challenge. We wish them all the best this season.
The following week we ventured to County Roscommon where 29 youth workers from Ireland’s National Youth Development Organisation, Foróige, gathered for an interactive, hands-on LEGO Robotics workshop. Read Megan’s post on Linkedin about her experience with our team where she reflects that ‘By introducing the FIRST LEGO League into Foróige's work, we're providing a unique platform for our young people to learn and grow. They'll not only have the chance to explore the fascinating world of robotics but also develop these vital life skills that will serve them well in future endeavours.’
Next we headed to County Laois, where in partnership with the Laois Education Centre, we engaged with over 30 educators from across the county and introduced them to the FLL Masterpiece Season. From Discover to Explore and Challenge, FIRST LEGO League offers programmes for learners from preschool through to Transition Year. If you want to get involved, reach out to our team at fll@learnit.ie.
We closed the month with an online webinar for teachers across Ireland who will support their teams to compete in the FIRST LEGO League Challenge season. Register your team today at fll.learnit.ie and reserve your place at one of the regional tournaments in February 2024. Save the date now for the FIRST LEGO League Challenge All Ireland Final on Saturday 23 March 2024.