(STEM) - LEGO STEM Club JUNIOR (Age 9-12)

DETAILS: 

TIME: Saturdays - April 20 - June 8 (8 weeks), 11:00 am - 12:15 pm

VENUE: Room 112, South Whidbey Community Center, 723 Camano Avenue, Langley 98253

AGE: 9-11 (Please reach out to us to discuss if your kids are slightly younger or older but would like to join the camp!)

Fee: $205 / 9 weeks 

*Tuition can be paid in one go or monthly installments. Some scholarships are available.

LEGO® clubs have been proven to be beneficial for young minds on many levels: teamwork and social skills, communication and language, problem-solving and math, creativity and experimentation, physical development, focus and perseverance. 

In this LEGO STEM Junior Club,  our junior tinkerers will have the opportunity to explore the exciting world of STEM through the versatile and colorful medium of LEGO bricks. Students will embark on a fun journey of discovery, where each class brings a new adventure in building, coding, and problem-solving. From constructing bridges that can withstand impressive weights to delving into the fascinating realm of robotics with LEGO Mindstorms, our club is a hub for hands-on learning and innovation. 

Under the instruction of energetic and experienced STEM teacher Annalisa, students will have a chance to learn: 

- The principles and ideas of coding, like logic, and elements of engineering through robotics

- The skills of scientific inquiry and experimentation

- Public speaking skills through the presentation of their projects 

- Engineering through imagination and practical observations

- Programming concepts through tactile activities

Whether it's constructing geometric shapes, designing sustainable cities, or engaging in LEGO Robotics challenges, every activity is crafted to spark curiosity and nurture a love for STEM disciplines that explore the principles of engineering, science, mathematics, and technology.

ITINERARY 

Week 1: 

• Introduction to LEGO STEM Club
• Introduction to STEM concepts

Week 2:

• Engineering Basics
• Building Bridges  Lesson on engineering principles.
• LEGO bridge-building challenge

Week 3:

• Robotics Exploration
• Introduction to robotics and LEGO Mindstorms.
• Basic programming concepts

Week 4:

• Science Investigation
• Building Simple Machines  Introduction to simple machines (levers, gears, pulleys).
• LEGO building challenges to create simple machines.

Week 5:

• Math and Geometry
• Building Geometric Shapes  Lesson on geometric shapes and their properties.
• LEGO building challenges to create various geometric shapes

Week 6:

• Environmental Engineering
• Build a Sustainable City  Discussion on environmental issues and sustainability.
• LEGO city-building activity with a focus on sustainable practices. Encouraging creative thinking about eco-friendly designs.

Week 7:

• Technology and Innovation - LEGO Robotics Challenge
• Advanced LEGO Mindstorms programming activities.
• LEGO Robotics Challenge: Design and program a robot to complete specific tasks.

Week 8: Mystery project! 

Week 9:

• Showcase and Celebration
• Participants create a creation that incorporates their favorite principles they have learned in the club

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR - Annalisa Hiroyasu

Energetic, insightful, resourceful educator dedicated to helping identify and enhance academic and personal achievement by developing innovative yet rigorous learning strategies with 21st century approaches to strengthen and improve educational performance.

"My name is Annalisa Hiroyasu but students love to call me Mrs. H for short. This will be my 16th year in education and 10th year teaching. I have been teaching at Coupeville Elementary School for the past 6 years and have had a wonderful time teaching there. I was born in Hawaii and lived there throughout my childhood until the Navy transferred my dad to Southern California. I went to junior high and high school in Orange County, CA. 

In 2005, we moved to Woodinville, Washington, and lived there for 7 years before my husband’s job transferred us to Bentonville, Arkansas. We loved living in the midwest but 6 years was too long away from family and we moved to Whidbey Island in 2018. We are loving Whidbey Island life! 

I'm a University of Washington Alumni and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. I also received my Master of Arts in Teaching from Harding University and a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Eastern Western University. I am currently pursuing my Master of Science in Educational Leadership through Western Governors University.

My husband and I have been married for 24 years and we have three daughters. Our oldest lives in NYC working her first big girl job, our middle will be a Senior at Seattle Pacific University, and our youngest daughter also goes to SPU and will be a sophomore. 

I look forward to getting to know your children at the STEM clubs!