LEGO Education's WeDo 2.0 provides hands-on STEM learning

LEGO Education WeDo 2.0, described as a "a hands-on science solution designed for elementary classrooms using a robot-based learning system," launched at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last week. The programme uses traditional LEGO bricks in conjunction with software and standards-based projects in order to help students gain science, tech skills, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through hands-on engagement. Teachers receive training and support to administer the curriculum, which is around 40 hours. Software can run on Mac, iPad, PC, or Android systems, with a Chromebook rollout expected later this year.

New wireless, tablet-ready robot-based learning system for elementary science curriculum teaches science and coding in a hands-on way

At the International Consumer Electronics Show, LEGO Education launched LEGO Education WeDo 2.0, a hands-on science solution designed for elementary classrooms using a robot-based learning system.

The solution combines the LEGO brick, classroom-friendly software and engaging, standards-based projects to teach elementary students essential science practices and skills.

With WeDo 2.0, students explore, create and share their scientific discoveries as they build, program and modify projects. Through a series of collaborative challenges, they deeply engage with science, engineering, technology, and coding, sparking a love for experimentation and investigation.

Teachers receive support through training, curriculum and built-in assessment. The result – a resource that builds students’ confidence to ask questions, define problems, and design their own solutions by putting scientific discovery in their hands.

Featuring curriculum that contains 40+ hours of lessons and activities built on key science standards for 2nd-4th grades, WeDo 2.0 enables students to engage with the science practices and engineering habits of mind by testing multiple designs through eight guided and eight open-ended projects.

For example, in the “Drop and Rescue” project, students are challenged to design a device to reduce the impacts on humans, animals and the environment after an area has been damaged by a weather-related hazard. Students can prototype solutions to a challenge where there is no single right answer, helping teach creativity and problem-solving skills. This also enables educators to tailor lessons to meet all students’ needs, no matter their abilities.