First Lego League
Excitement is building in Class 3 as preparations come together for our participation in the First Lego League competition.
Pupils have been busy planning, programming and presenting ahead of the big competition in a few weeks time. Their ideas are really beginning to take shape.
Children have to design and programme a Lego EV3 robot to interact with several different Lego structures, all representing problems within our local area. They will then have to compete in a head-to-head competition to see who can score the most points in just 2 1/2 minutes!
The children have created their very own invention to help solve a problem within our local area. They have researched problems faced by towns and cities and realised that they can help solve some of the problems faced with their idea. They now plan on sharing this idea with the judges.
Throughout the competition day, judges will watch how the team interact with each other as well as other teams within the competition. I can already say, this is something our team do very well already and I am sure they will impress on the day too.
Please wish the team members luck if you see them around school and we’ll keep you updated with their progress.
Little Inventors Energy Challenge
The Arts Council have been very busy this term researching renewable and non-renewable energy in preparation for taking on the ‘Little Inventors Energy Challenge’. The council have asked junior children to think up invention ideas to generate energy, save energy or use energy better. 15 children inventors and their school across Tees Valley, Sunderland and Northumberland will also be chosen to join the Little Inventors Pioneers programme. In January and June 2020 these pioneers will get to develop their idea further and be part of bringing it to life with the help of makers and experts, before showing it in a special exhibition in Tees Valley!
Here are some of the chosen designs by the Arts Council created by children at Hedworth Lane Primary School. Fingers crossed for them!
Two of the designs have been put up on the ‘Little Inventors Energy Challenge’ website.
Kit Car Challenge
‘When I grow up I want to make cars.’ Why Wait! Let’s make a car now!
Year 6 pupils have been working with Mike, our partner engineer, to construct an electric vehicle from a kit. This Eco-car was constructed over a number of weeks with all Y6 taking a turn to use the construction manual and tools. We enjoyed the experience of being engineers, following plans and problem solving when things did not quite go to plan!
We created an outer shell made of recycled single use plastics and took our vehicle to Gateshead sports stadium where we raced it against 39 other similar vehicles from schools around the region.
Pupils at Hedworth Lane are part of the exciting Leaders Award competition which is open to all children across the UK and asks the question, “If you were an engineer, what would you do?”
We have interviewed two engineers to help inspire us to create an invention that solves a problem in our everyday lives. What a fantastic response we have had too. Children’s entries will now be looked at by a panel of judges who decide if the inventions can be made and showcased at various places across the country.
Here are a few designs that we at Hedworth Lane can’t believe haven’t been invented already !
Rocket Shoes (Speeds you up if you’re tired of walking) Year 5 (Class 2)
The book Flipper 5.0 (Turns the pages for you) Year 5 (Class 3)
The Socks & Tights Sorter (Organises your socks) Year 4 (Class 4)
The Clothes Sorter (Folds your clothes for you) Year 4 (Class 5)
My new friend (Makes you a friend if you feel lonely) Year 3 (Class 6)