Promising Practices

Bowling Green Junior High School

Lego Mindstorms Robotics Inventions Workshop

The Lego Mindstorms Robotics Inventions Workshop was held on the campus of Bowling Green Technical College as part of a week-long summer camp. Students built mechanical robots using Lego materials and used computer programming to enable them to perform various functions. Lego Mindstorm products were developed by the MIT Media Lab. Developer Seymour Papert has conducted many studies on how these materials can have a positive effect on student learning when used in hands-on, integrated math/science activities, especially with at-risk youth. Bowling Green Junior High School teachers were amazed to watch students who were "turned off" during the regular school year beg the workshop instructor for more time to work with the robots.

Students who have attended the Summer Academy have gained a 1.14 grade point average for the first nine weeks of the 2002-3 school year compared to 2001-2. Many of these students are enrolled in the "first ever" BGJHS Earth Science class for high school credit. The students are willing to put forth the extra effort in the eighth grade in order to reach a higher level of science skills thus opening opportunities at the high school. This academy could be a life changing experience for these students.

Registration and classroom materials are paid through GEAR UP funding. Most BGTC faculty offers their time during the week without direct compensation. The registration fees are available for the faculty "programs", not individual pay.

Lego activity kits are $200 each.
For the summer camp:
Food comes from the Summer Feed Program so there is no cost for breakfast or lunch.
Transportation is $450 for one bus.
Registration is $35 per student.
Supplies for classes run around $700.
$750 for Culinary Arts Teacher
$500 per certified staff to supervise (1 staff member per group)
$800 for camp coordinator

Standards and Indicators for Success:

• Standard 1.1e The school curriculum provides specific links to continuing education, life and career options.
  
  
• Standard 2.1b Teachers collaborate in the design of authentic assessment tasks aligned with core content subject matter.
  
  

Contact Information:

Mary Higgins, Ed.S., LPCC
Bowling Green Jr. High School
900 Campbell Lane
Bowling Green, KY 42104
(270) 746-2290
Fax: (270) 746-2297
mhiggins@b-g.k12.ky.us