2012 – 2013

After School Class Descriptions

We learn, build and play with LEGO bricks! We teach principles of engineering using LEGO bricks, motors, and remote controls using our proprietary model plans designed by engineers and architects. Each four-week session will be an awesome mix of science and engineering, as kids build models that demonstrate the concepts learned. They then are challenged to think out of the box to problem solve and modify, the models that they build as they are given a fun and engaging model engineering challenge to solve each week. Each 4 week session will provide a new experience for your child, as we cover science topics about the Forces of nature, Sir Isaac Newton’s Laws of Motions, and Amazing Creatures. To ensure space for your child, sign up for all sessions today.

n*e*w Jr. Robotics Class — Using software, elementary school students will be able to program the models they craft out of LEGO® bricks. (Check out schedule below–runs October 2012 thru May 2013.)

Fall Class Themes (Sept Thru December) — Grades 1-6

{October}  FORCES OF NATURE: Take cover because we’re about to take a trip through some wild weather!  This unit is all about the amazing and powerful forces of nature, as students explore the when, where, how and why of all kinds of natural phenomenon from tsunamis to earthquakes.   Each week students build a new model that represents the motion of that particular weather or event, with a seat for a mini-figure to take in the action.

{November}  LAWS OF MOTIONS 2:  Test out some of Sir Isaac Newton’s Laws of motion with our interactive Bricks 4 Kidz models. Each lesson uses simple words to explain physics concepts such as, “every action has an equal and opposite reaction”, which students will delve deeper into in years to come.  For now, they get to build fun stuff out of LEGO bricks and create a positive association that science is fun!  

{December} AMAZING CREATURES:  It’s a zoo in here!  This is a unit sure to delight kids who love creatures.  We’ll be building working models of living creatures each week.  Each week we’ll discuss fascinating facts about the creatures we build…Students will love these moving models that celebrate the wonders of the animal kingdom.

 Winter 2013 Class Themes (January Thru March)  – Grades 1-6

{January} AIR, LAND, SEA:  There’s lots of building fun ahead with motorized models of the air, land & sea.  Your child can follow our step-by-step model plans to create their land or sea  models, then customize it to their own specifications and take their mini-figure for a ride!  Each week, students will build motorized models and explore the models of the air, land and sea, such as a paddleboat. The best part is, these models are so much fun to play with!  

{February} SPORTS ACADEMY:   This unit is a great way to get “sporty” kids building and get LEGO® fans interested in sports.  But the best part for the students is the way the models move and the fun they have playing with them after they’re built – hitting a plastic golf ball with the mini-golf model,  have fun playing basketball on a miniature court, Maybe they’ll be inspired to try a new sport, or build a model of their favorite sport! 

{March} FAMOUS INVENTIONS:  So many things we use each day are someone’s invention.  During this unit, students will discuss the difference between an invention and a discovery, learn how inventions solve problems, and find out how inventors get their ideas patented.  Each week, students are encouraged to think of what they could invent, or improvements they could make to an existing object to solve a problem.  

Spring 2013 Class Themes (April thru May)  – Grades 1-6

{April} TRANSPORTATION CONSTRUCTION VEHICLES:  There’s lots of building fun ahead with motorized models of different types of construction vehicles.  Your child can follow our step-by-step model plans to create their vehicle, then customize it to their own specifications and take their mini-figure for a ride!  Each week, students will build motorized models such as a bulldozer, train, dumptruck and more, as they  explore the history and importance of how these vehicles help make work in the construction industry easier.  But the best part is, these models are so much fun to play with!  

{May} ENERGY IS EVERYWHERE:  Energy is everywhere! Your child will learn about the different sources of energy, and build miniature models of the different ways to get energy, solar panels, oil rig, and water mills to name a few.

n*e*w Jr. Robotics Class — Using software, elementary school students will be able to program the models they craft out of LEGO® bricks.  Jr Robotics bridges the physical world, represented by LEGO® models, and the virtual world of computers and programming software, providing a hands-on, minds-on learning experience that actively involves young students in their own learning process. Each 4 week class is a different engineering focus, and designed to increase their understanding of engineering  & robotics principles.  The final class of each 4 week session, kids will use the knowledge gained to solve a building and programming challenge, applying what was learned the previous few weeks.   Jr Robotics is generally aimed at promoting children’s creative thinking, but also teamwork and problem-solving skills, skills which are essential in the 21^st century workplace.  

**Bricks 4 Kidz Intro to Jr Robotics:  This class is required before attending Jr. Robotics Classes, if child has not attended previous Bricks 4 Kidz- Jr. Robotics Classes or Summer Camp. This is a one session class designed to introduce the basics of the robotics software program and motorized model programming. Participants will learn more advanced programming in additional classes.