Lego educational tools to be introduced in Dubai public schools soon

Dubai - Public school students may soon start toying with new science and maths tools inside classrooms as part of a new initiative. The students will be put in special classrooms encouraging the study of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (Stem).

The hands-on approach to learning will be made possible by introducing students to Lego educational tools.

“This will transform education from a typical teacher-centric classroom to a child-centered one by encouraging a curriculum that is driven by problem-solving, discovery and exploratory learning,” said S. Senthil Kugan, General Manager of Atlab, distributors of Lego Education.

The two public schools piloting the Stem classrooms are Al Ibdaa Model School and Omar Bin Al Khattab Model School. Stem education integrates all four subjects and emphasises the application of knowledge to real-life situations.

The Stem units for Primary School (Grade 1 to 5) will include activities such as Robotics and Basic Programming as well as activities to foster life Skills such as social responsibility and environmental science. In Middle School level (Grade 6 to 8) the activities include aero modelling, making gliders, structures, robotics, green energy, animation and data logging.

At High School Level (Grades 9 to 10), activities range from simple and powered machines, robotics and programing, to 3D printing, data analysis and prediction, technological design, atmospheric sciences and problem solving.

Delhi Private School Academy, based in Academic City, is one of the few schools which has integrated Stem education into its curriculum. “We believe in constructivist education. It has brought joy to learning,” said Sandhya Awasthi, principal of the school. Ministry of Education officials could not be reached for a comment.

muaz@khaleejtimes.com