Engaging in Purposeful Inquiry: From Immersion to Impact
impact statement
"Think Different": An Innovative LEGO-Based Activity for Students AND Educators
"Think Different" is an exciting, new activity designed to encourage students to shift their conventional problem-solving approaches and operational methods in an educational environment. By presenting a series of challenges, this activity provides students with a hands-on opportunity to explore new pathways within existing creative constraints. The goal is to unlock their inherent potential and genius.
Teamwork and communication are essential pillars of high-quality learning experiences and skill sets. This activity emphasizes their importance in a group setting. Unlike the traditional approach of assigning students to groups and instructing them to "work it out," we aim to create an interactive experience that engages, excites, and inspires students.
Our focus is on creating an experience that is engaging, dynamic, and intense. We understand the need to capture students' attention early on, building anticipation and excitement for what lies ahead. We aim to keep them active, engaged in discussions, and working collaboratively to develop these skills.
This activity serves as a launchpad for the deeper work that continues after the experience. We believe that learning becomes impactful when it connects with emotions and senses, and this can be achieved through hands-on learning. As an introductory activity, "Think Different" is designed to make a significant impact and generate energy.
To commence the event, we set the stage about the importance of this work and understanding the people we work with. The recurring theme is that this work is within all of them. They all possess unique superpowers, and when we combine forces, we can achieve even greater things together.
Building Community Through Inquiry
Objective:
To establish a safe and engaging learning environment by connecting play with purposeful inquiry.
Activities:
- LEGO Build Challenges: Hands-on activity to explore the joy of learning through play.
- Discussion on Iowa Universal Constructs or 4 C’s: Understanding the core skills and competencies essential for successful learning.
- Creating Safe Learning Spaces: Strategies to nurture an environment conducive to innovative thinking.
Application and Reflection
Objective:
To bridge theory with practice by finding connections to personal teaching experiences.
Activities:
- Classroom Connection: Participants reflect on how the discussed concepts can be integrated into their current teaching practices.
- Collaborative Planning: Working in groups to design authentic learning
Follow-Up
Objective:
To support the ongoing development and implementation of engagement strategies in the classroom.
Strategies:
- Peer Sharing: Regular sessions for teachers to share successes and challenges.
- Continuous Support: Availability of resources and guidance for refining engagement and inquiry approaches.
build Group & timers
Tower | Tricky tower | hanging around | explain this | coffee experience 1 and 2 | |
Time | 90 seconds | 90-120 seconds | 120 seconds | 6 rounds of 30 seconds | 4 minutes for each |
Participants | Solo | Solo | Partner | Solo Build, but Groups of 6 max | At least 2(group size can vary) |
Build a Tower
Build 1: WArm up
Solo Build
90-120 seconds
Builders need to build a strucutere on top of 2x2 orange brick.
Challenge Name: Design a Tower Description: Design a tower you can balance starting with the orange 2x2 brick. It’s the only brick that can touch the table. Duration: 2 minutes to build | |
Iowa's Education Universal Constructs | - Complex Communicator: Students might need to explain their design process and how they managed to balance the tower with the given constraint. - Critical Thinker: They need to think critically to design a balanced tower with limited resources. - Creative Problem Solver: This task demands creative solutions to meet the challenge criteria. |
LEGO Serious Play Methodologies | - Building a Shared Understanding: Students can share their unique design solutions, promoting a shared understanding of different design approaches. - Unlocking Imaginative Thinking: The constraint of having only one brick touching the table may unlock imaginative thinking as students explore various configurations for stability. |
Key Mindset and Culture Building for Innovation | - Resilience: Students may need to iterate their designs to achieve a balanced tower, building resilience through repeated effort and learning from failure. - Openness to New Ideas: Observing peers’ solutions can foster an openness to new ideas and different problem-solving approaches. |
7 Essential Elements of PBL | - Challenging Problem or Question: The task poses a challenging problem of creating a balanced structure under specific constraints. - Reflection: Students may reflect on their design process, the challenges faced, and how they overcame them. - Critique and Revision: Through peer feedback or self-assessment, students may have the opportunity to revise their designs to improve stability or aesthetics. |
Facilitation and Reflection Questions | - No Winners Declaration: How does not declaring winners contribute to a safe space for innovation? - Observation of Varied Builds: What insights were gained from observing the different ways others approached the challenge? How did the variety of designs enhance collective problem-solving? - Impact of Constraints on Creativity: How did having only one constraint affect your design process? Did the constraint limit or enhance your creativity? How might having no constraints affect the process differently? |
Tricky Tower
Build 2: Cadence of learning
Solo Build
90-120 seconds
- Builders need to build the tallest tower, but the constraints are as follows.
- Not allowed to connect LEGO pieces using the studs or illegal build techniques
- Builder can only use their non dominant hand
- At the end the build should fail the gravity test being that if turned upside down all pieces would separate from themselves.
Challenge Name: Tricky TowerDescription: Builders need to build the tallest tower under specified constraints. Duration: 2 minutes to build | |
Iowa's Education Universal Constructs | - Complex Communicator: Students may need to articulate their strategies and challenges faced due to the unique constraints. - Critical Thinker: They need to strategize to build a tall tower without using the usual building techniques. - Creative Problem Solver: This task demands creativity to work around the constraints and still achieve the goal. |
LEGO Serious Play Methodologies | - Building a Shared Understanding: Sharing unique solutions promotes a shared understanding of different approaches to the same problem. - Unlocking Imaginative Thinking: The unconventional building constraints may unlock imaginative thinking as students explore alternative ways to build a tall tower. |
Key Mindset and Culture Building for Innovation | - Resilience: Students may need to iterate their designs to create a tall tower under the given constraints, building resilience through repeated effort and learning from failure. - Openness to New Ideas: Observing peers’ solutions can foster an openness to new ideas and different problem-solving approaches. |
7 Essential Elements of PBL | - Challenging Problem or Question: The task poses a challenging problem of creating a tall structure under unique constraints. - Reflection: Students may reflect on their design process, the challenges faced, and how they overcame them. - Critique and Revision: Through peer feedback or self-assessment, students may have the opportunity to revise their designs to improve stability or aesthetics. |
Facilitation and Reflection Questions | - No Winners Declaration: How does not declaring winners contribute to a safe space for innovation? - Observation of Varied Builds: What insights were gained from observing the different ways others approached the challenge? How did the variety of designs enhance collective problem-solving? - Impact of Constraints on Creativity: How did the specific constraints of this challenge affect your design process? Did the constraints limit or enhance your creativity? How might having no constraints affect the process differently? |
Hanging Around
Build 3: Communication and sharing
This is a partner build.
Each person at table takes a turn adding one piece to the build.
How many pieces can you get to hang off the table?
Challenge Name: Hanging Around Description: Partner Collaboration Challenge where each person at the table takes a turn adding one piece to the build to see how many pieces can hang off the table. Duration: 2 minutes | |
Iowa's Education Universal Constructs | - Complex Communicator: Students need to communicate and collaborate with partners to decide on the placement of pieces. - Critical Thinker: They need to strategize on how to place the pieces to maximize the number hanging off the table without falling. - Creative Problem Solver: This task demands creative solutions to keep adding pieces to the hanging structure. |
LEGO Serious Play Methodologies | - Building a Shared Understanding: Collaborating on the build fosters a shared understanding of the challenge and potential solutions. - Unlocking Imaginative Thinking: The challenge of having pieces hang off the table may unlock imaginative thinking as students explore various configurations. |
Key Mindset and Culture Building for Innovation | - Resilience: Students may need to retry hanging pieces if they fall, building resilience through repeated effort and learning from failure. - Openness to New Ideas: Observing peers’ solutions and listening to partners' suggestions can foster an openness to new ideas and different problem-solving approaches. |
7 Essential Elements of PBL | - Challenging Problem or Question: The task poses a challenging problem of getting as many pieces as possible to hang off the table. - Reflection: Students may reflect on their collaborative process, the challenges faced, and how they overcame them. - Critique and Revision: Through peer feedback or self-assessment, students may have the opportunity to revise their strategy to improve the outcome. |
Facilitation and Reflection Questions | - No Winners Declaration: How does not declaring winners contribute to a safe space for innovation? - Observation of Varied Builds: What insights were gained from observing the different ways others approached the challenge? How did the variety of collaboration styles enhance collective problem-solving? - Impact of Constraints on Creativity: How did the constraint of taking turns affect your collaborative process? Did it limit or enhance your creativity? How might having no constraints affect the process differently? |
Explain This
Build 4: communication, creativity, listening
This is a group challenge.
Time: 6 rounds of 30 seconds
- Building Phase: Each participant will have 30 seconds to assemble a creation using five random LEGO pieces.
- Group Formation: Participants should form groups, each with a maximum of six members.
- Prompt Response: In each round, every participant receives a unique prompt. Your task is to creatively explain how your LEGO assembly represents or answers this prompt.
- Explanation Phase: You have 30 seconds to articulate your explanation. It's important to keep talking for the entire duration, continuously describing your build without pauses.
- Rotation: Once the 30 seconds are up, the next prompt is presented to the following participant. This cycle continues until all members have responded to their respective prompts.
Challenge Name: Explain This Description: Participants assemble five random LEGO elements in 30 seconds and then explain how their build answers a given prompt for 30 seconds. The challenge is conducted in rounds with groups of no more than six, focusing on storytelling, metaphors, and symbols.Duration: 6 rounds of 30 seconds each. | |
Iowa's Education Universal Constructs | - Complex Communicator: Participants must effectively communicate their thoughts and ideas, linking their LEGO build to the prompt. - Creative Problem Solver: The task requires creative interpretation of random LEGO constructions to fit diverse prompts. |
LEGO Serious Play Methodologies | - Storytelling: This challenge emphasizes the power of story and narrative, allowing participants to creatively articulate the connection between their build and the prompt. - Metaphor and Symbolism: Participants use their builds as metaphors or symbols to convey complex ideas and abstract concepts. |
Key Mindset and Culture Building for Innovation | - Imagination and Creativity: Participants are encouraged to think imaginatively and creatively in their explanations. - Continuous Communication: The requirement to keep talking for the entire 30 seconds fosters a continuous flow of ideas and communication skills. |
7 Essential Elements of PBL | - Public Product: The participants' builds and explanations serve as a public product that is shared within the group. - Reflection: After the rounds, a discussion helps reflect on the experience and the different approaches taken by participants. |
Facilitation and Reflection Questions | - How did the process of explaining your build help you understand the power of storytelling? - In what ways did you see creativity and imagination come to life in this challenge? - How did the constraints of the challenge (time limit, continuous talking) affect your thought process and communication style? |
Coffee Experience
Build 5: communication, listening, Troubleshooting
This is a team challenge.
Time: 3:30 minutes - 4:00
- One person will decide to be the "communicator" Everyone else on the team are builders.
- The communciator will be able to walk over to the build and see the build, the builders are not allowed to see the build.
- In this round, the communicator is not allowed to use gestures or colors when describing how to build the model.
- The builders are also not allowed to ask any questions to the communicator or their team.
Challenge Name: Coffee Experience Description: This is a team challenge where one person acts as the "communicator" to guide the builders in constructing the model. The communicator can see the build but can't use gestures or colors in descriptions, while the builders can't see the build or ask questions. Duration: 3:30 - 4:00 minutes | |
Iowa's Education Universal Constructs | - Complex Communicator: The communicator needs to articulate instructions clearly under the set restrictions, and builders need to interpret these instructions accurately. - Critical Thinker: Both the communicator and builders need to think critically to convey and follow the instructions to successfully build the model. - Creative Problem Solver: Adhering to the communication restrictions while striving to build the model accurately demands creative problem-solving. |
LEGO Serious Play Methodologies | - Building a Shared Understanding: The challenge fosters a shared understanding as the team works together to overcome communication barriers and build the model. - Unlocking Imaginative Thinking: The communication restrictions may encourage imaginative thinking as the communicator devises ways to convey instructions and builders interpret them. |
Key Mindset and Culture Building for Innovation | - Resilience: The team may face difficulties in communication and understanding, requiring resilience to continue working towards the goal. - Openness to New Ideas: The unique communication dynamic may foster an openness to new ideas and different problem-solving approaches. |
7 Essential Elements of PBL | - Challenging Problem or Question: The task poses a challenging problem of constructing a model under unique communication constraints. - Reflection: Students may reflect on the communication process, the challenges faced, and how they overcame them. - Critique and Revision: Through feedback, students may have the opportunity to revise their communication strategies or model construction to improve the outcome. |
Facilitation and Reflection Questions | - No Winners Declaration: How does not declaring winners contribute to a safe space for innovation? - Observation of Varied Builds: What insights were gained from observing the different ways others approached the challenge? How did the variety of communication strategies enhance collective problem-solving? - Impact of Constraints on Creativity: How did the communication constraints affect your team's process? Did the constraints limit or enhance creativity in problem-solving? How might having no constraints affect the process differently? |
Build 6: communication, listening, Troubleshooting
Coffee Experience 2
This is a team challenge.
Time: 3:30 minutes - 4:00
- In this scenario there are two communicators.
- Communicator 1 is allowed to look at the build.
- They are allowed to explain however they wish to communicator 2.
- Communicator 2 then goes to the builders and explains with no constraints of color or gestures how to build the model.
- Builders attempt to build the model that Communicator 1 can see.
Challenge Name: Coffee Experience Description: This is a team challenge where one person acts as the "communicator" to guide the builders in constructing the model. The communicator can see the build but can't use gestures or colors in descriptions, while the builders can't see the build or ask questions. Duration: 3:30 - 4:00 minutes | |
Iowa's Education Universal Constructs | - Complex Communicator: The two communicators and builders need to communicate effectively, despite the intermediary step, to successfully replicate the model. - Critical Thinker: Participants need to think critically to convey, understand, and follow instructions through the two-step communication process. - Creative Problem Solver: This task demands creative solutions to ensure accurate communication and replication of the model. |
LEGO Serious Play Methodologies | - Building a Shared Understanding: The challenge fosters a shared understanding as the team navigates the two-step communication process to build the model. - Unlocking Imaginative Thinking: The relayed communication may encourage imaginative thinking as participants devise and interpret instructions. |
Key Mindset and Culture Building for Innovation | - Resilience: The team may face challenges in ensuring accurate communication through the two-step process, requiring resilience to work towards the goal. - Openness to New Ideas: The unique communication dynamic may foster an openness to new ideas and different problem-solving approaches. |
7 Essential Elements of PBL | - Challenging Problem or Question: The task poses a challenging problem of constructing a model under unique communication constraints. - Reflection: Students may reflect on the communication process, the challenges faced, and how they overcame them. - Critique and Revision: Through feedback, students may have the opportunity to revise their communication strategies or model construction to improve the outcome. |
Facilitation and Reflection Questions | - No Winners Declaration: How does not declaring winners contribute to a safe space for innovation? - Observation of Varied Builds: What insights were gained from observing the different ways others approached the challenge? How did the variety of communication strategies enhance collective problem-solving? - Impact of Constraints on Creativity: How did the two-step communication process affect your team's process? Did it limit or enhance creativity in problem-solving? How might having no constraints affect the process differently? |
Resources
Resources
Purposeful Play with LEGO Lessons
A collection of many LEGO PD, lessons, examples used in various schools that I co-created with colleagues and educators to replicate the experiences in classrooms.
Purposeful Play with LEGO Course
In 2019-2020 I ran several rounds of this course for educators to work with other educators around the world to further explore purposeful play. Any of these could be used and applied into the classroom.
BUILDING BETTER LEARNING: USING THE LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® METHOD IN EDUCATION
An excellent person/author, methodology and resource for going even deeper into learning and thinking. And you might recognize one of the chapters :)
Resources
LEGO Quarantine Build Challenge
During COVID I I operated a global building challenge to keep minds busy. Feel free to use any of the ideas.
BUILDING BETTER LEARNING: USING THE LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® METHOD IN EDUCATION
An excellent person/author, methodology and resource for going even deeper into learning and thinking. And you might recognize one of the chapters :)
living on the edge of chaos podcast
podcast episodes
In this episode, I am honored to speak with someone who has as much and maybe even more love for play and learning. Liam Isaac is the Director of Learning and Innovation for SeriousWorks which is an organiztion that creates books, resources, and workshops on LEGO Serious Play. “LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® began as an experiential process designed for use in guided workshops with adults to prompt dialogue and encourage reflection, as well as develop problem-solving skills and use of imagination. However, SERIOUS PLAY® sets like the Starter Kit are also suitable for building critical thinking skills in kids 6+. Each set is designed to enhance different skills, such as reflection and dialogue, which will enhance the workshop experience. This innovative approach to interaction is a valuable asset in business as well as education and helps participants open up through the approachable medium of play.”(from LEGO website)
In this episode of the podcast, I speak with Carol Hill. Carol leads a team of Learning Designers and Content Developers in embedding learning through play in products across the Learning LEGO System. Carol has over twenty years’ experience in education, as a teacher, writer, publisher and product leader, working for learning organisations such as Pearson, British Council, Cambridge University Press & Assessment and IDP Australia. Carol is also a certified LEGO Serious Play Facilitator and is passionate about helping both children and adults learn and develop through play.
In this episode, I engage in a very thought provoking conversation with Mia Eng. Mia is an executive coach, facilitator, and consultant who partners with individuals and organizations on their journey to develop the leadership capability that is aligned to their vision and mission. Mia provides space and structure for individuals and teams to identify development goals that enable improved performance; eliminate barriers to the desired transformation; and design and execute their path to success.
podcast episodes
In this episode, I am speaking with Boone who is/was a contestant on the FOX LEGO Masters show. As he describes his work on his YouTube channel,I love to build LEGO Creations, Custom TOYS, and Fan Art! As often as I can, I’ll show you how I made the thinks I make and I’ll provide as many resources as possible along the way. I hope you enjoy my projects and giveaways!
In this episode, I am speaking with Krystle and Amie who make up the Team Unicorn. They were one of the incredible duos who appear on the FOX TV LEGO Masters Show. In this chat we talk not only LEGO, but all the other things they create and make and the mindsets needed to be successful as it applies to education.
In this episode I speak with Liam Nilsen. Liam is a Learning Experience Designer at The LEGO Foundation
podcast episodes
In this episode I speak with myself! No guests. Just me and my thoughts focused on confidence in STEM.This is the sixth part of a six part podcast series as part of my Purposeful Play with LEGO online course.
In this episode I speak with Damien Kee. Dr Damien Kee is a passionate Educational Technologies advocate, who specialises in bringing technology concepts to teachers and educators around the world. With a focus in Robotics, Programming and Electronics, he works to educate teachers on the benefits and relative ease with which technology can be embedded into their daily classroom activities. (from his website)This is the fifth part of a six part podcast series as part of my Purposeful Play with LEGO online course.
In this episode I speak with two editors/publishers from Brick Math. Brick Math helps students learn the basics of the K-6 math curriculum by modeling with LEGO® bricks. Specific math subjects include: Counting, Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division, Basic Fractions, Basic Measurement, Fraction Multiplication, Fraction Division, Decimals, and Advanced Measurement and Geometry. When students are taught with Brick Math, they develop a deeper understanding of the concepts that are the foundation of true mathematical knowledge.This is the fourth part of a six part podcast series as part of my Purposeful Play with LEGO online course.
podcast episodes
In this episode I speak with Becky McDowell, a LEGO Master Educator, who is a K-5 STEM Teacher/Team Leader for Barrington School District. She is a passionate educational leader who specializes in the development, implementation, and evaluation of PreK-8 science and STEM curriculum. Read all of her awards and recognition here on the LEGO Education site.This is the third part of a six part podcast as part of my Purposeful Play with LEGO online course.
In this episode I speak with Alisha Bridges. She is an educator who has the honor of working in the first LEGO Education Model School at Jesse Bobo Elementary in Spartanburg, South Carolina. She runs the LEGO Lab at the school.We discuss several ways to infuse purposeful play and LEGO into the classroom connected to content standards.This is the second part of a six part podcast as part of my Purposeful Play with LEGO online course.
In this episode I speak with Rob Torok. Rob is a teacher in Tasmania, Australia. He has been using LEGO MINDSTORMS with his students since 2001. He is also the editor in chief for LEGO Engineering as well as the content editor for LEGO Education Australia (LEGOeducation.com.au).We discuss creative thinking in regards to LEGO and hands on learning. This is the first part of a six part podcast as part of my Purposeful Play with LEGO online course.