Unlocking Creativity: How Lego’s Latest Set Revolutionizes Science Education

Toy companies have always looked for ways to get into the education market. Brands like Play-Doh and Barbie have offered classroom materials and educational videos for teachers. But LEGO Education is taking things to the next level. This year, they will launch a K-8 science program that goes beyond just supplementary materials.

Unlike their traditional educational offerings, this new program aims to provide core lessons. While it won’t cover every topic for each grade, it will offer lessons in life, earth, and physical sciences. Each lesson includes assessments and teacher guides, all aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards. Andrew Sliwinski, head of product experience at LEGO Education, emphasizes that these lessons focus on engaging students in real scientific practices.

The Next Generation Science Standards, released in 2014, stress the importance of hands-on learning and exploring scientific phenomena. Currently, twenty states and Washington D.C. have adopted these standards, while others have adapted them to fit their local needs.

Creating core lessons is unusual for a toy company, says Alicia Conerly, president of the National Science Teaching Association. Some educators express concerns that lessons centered around branded products might limit students’ learning experiences. Sliwinski acknowledges this worry, comparing it to wanting to use an expensive microscope to explore every detail.

Despite these concerns, LEGO Education aims to provide unique hands-on learning opportunities. The lessons encourage students to practice modeling and design using LEGO bricks, which presents an engaging way to learn core science concepts.

Does Toy-Based Learning Increase Engagement?

The LEGO lessons are tailored to fit grade-level standards. For example, a first-grade lesson explores how animals’ features, like bird beaks, help them survive. Students will design their own bird beaks with LEGO pieces, learning about real-world bird adaptations in the process.

Students are also encouraged to make broader connections, discussing how different tools serve various purposes, says Jenny Nash, head of education impact at LEGO Education in the U.S. The aim is to make real-world connections that enhance learning.

Research shows that toy-driven curricula can be effective. A 2016 study on a science unit using Hot Wheels toy cars found that students understood the concepts better than those taught through traditional methods. Those taught with the cars reported more interest and excitement, feeling less bored or frustrated during lessons.

However, not all educational programs are made equal, and many haven’t been thoroughly researched. While LEGO Education hasn’t had their lessons evaluated by external researchers, Sliwinski shared that they were informed by classroom field testing.

As with any new curriculum approach, educators want to see solid evidence that the program works, Conerly points out. This means looking for data, such as student performance on standardized assessments in districts using the program. Ultimately, the key question is: “Is this investment truly helping students learn and grow?”