Scott+Foresman+Science

Sixth Grade is launching a study on robotics. During this study, 6th grade students will be working in pairs using hands on activities using LEGOs to learn the principles of simple and motorized machines. The following categories of the United States National Science Education Standards can be addressed with this material. Unifying Concepts and Processes --LEGO models help students understand how things work. Measurement of change enables students to quantify observations. Science as Inquiry -- The activities help students answer questions through inquiry and investigation. Throughout, students are encouraged to develop descriptions, explanations, predictions, and models. Physical Science -- Motions, forces, transfer of energy, and the principles of simple machines are studied through the concrete activities with the LEGO models. Science and Technology -- The activities provide experiences with design and problem solving in familiar contexts. Students identify a problem, then design, implement, and evaluate a solution. (above information taken from LEGO Educational Division)

Websites: http://education.nasa.gov http://spacelink.nasa.gov http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/ http://www.earlyrobotics.org/WhitePapers.htm http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/index.html http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/5-8/index.html http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=the+art+of+lego+design&cts=&aq=0&oq=The+art+of+lego+de