April 15, 2024
FIRST
In the vibrant world of learning and development, there’s a unique blend of education and engagement that transcends traditional boundaries, fostering skills for the future. This is the world where the FIRST thrives, an innovative program designed to introduce children from elementary through high school to the fascinating world of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
FIRST LEGO League Program Overview
FIRST LEGO League introduces science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to children in three progressive tiers: Discover for ages 4-6, Explore for ages 6-10, and Challenge for ages 9-16. The FIRST LEGO League is more than just a program; it’s a journey of discovery, inspiring young minds to experiment and grow their critical thinking, coding, and design skills through guided, hands-on STEM learning and robotics.
FIRST LEGO League Discover, introduced to children aged 4-6, is a playful foray into STEM education, designed to spark curiosity and cultivate lifelong learning habits. It was for this league division that Sidekick and FIRST collaborated to create a one-day online facilitator training event.
The Challenge
FIRST has been running for years and boasts a comprehensive and finely-tuned training curriculum. Sidekick’s challenge was not to create new material, but instead, the task was to reimagine this existing content into a condensed, one-day online training event for new program facilitators, a vital link in spreading the program’s impact.
These facilitators, often teachers from participating schools, are the unsung heroes who bring the FIRST LEGO League experience to life for countless children. Understanding their constraints, particularly the precious nature of their Professional Development time, was crucial in shaping this training event.
The Solution
Leveraging the wealth of existing resources, including a slide deck, guides, block building booklets and cards, and other activities, Sidekick’s instructional design experts, in collaboration with FIRST Education subject matter experts, crafted an immersive online training event.
By “chunking” the original training materials into short, easily digestible segments, the team designed an interactive and dynamic learning experience tailored for virtual engagement. This included the integration of multimedia resources, interactive elements, and hands-on activities, all aligned to foster an engaging and effective training environment.
The Outcome
The revamped one-day FIRST LEGO League Discover training event on the Sidekick platform emerged as more than just an instructional session. It became an interactive, engaging, and fun learning experience, with all resources, content, and links housed in one place to support easier facilitation. Incorporating custom games, interactive tools, and a variety of activities, the event equipped facilitators with the necessary skills and knowledge and inspired them to kindle a similar enthusiasm for STEM in the children they teach.
Conclusion
Reimagining the FIRST LEGO League Discover’s one-day online facilitator training event is evidence of the power of innovative educational technologies. By revisiting existing content and restructuring the delivery, Sidekick addressed the constraints of the program facilitators’ time. The Sidekick training event exemplifies how strategic instructional design, when combined with the magic of play and strong foundational principles, can unlock the immense potential within learners. The training not only prepares facilitators to be torchbearers of STEM enthusiasm but also reinforces the crucial role of play in education—cultivating a generation of thinkers, innovators, and leaders equipped to navigate the challenges of tomorrow.
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