What happens when science, engineering, and a little creativity come together? In Mr. Nye’s 6th Grade Accelerated Science classes, students recently put their problem-solving skills to the test through a hands-on LEGO® Education challenge.

Here's a look inside Mr. Nye's classroom as he shares how students explored the impact of hurricanes on coastal communities and developed their own solutions to real-world challenges.

Students in my 6th Grade Accelerated Science classes recently participated in the LEGO® Education "Windy City" challenge, where they explored the impacts of hurricanes on coastal communities. Working collaboratively in teams, students built a model city and designed an automated warning system that activated as rising "ocean waters" approached the city. They then analyzed the challenges hurricanes create, including flooding, storm surge, and wind damage.

To extend their learning, students engineered and presented their own solutions to help forecast hurricanes or reduce their effects on communities. This hands-on activity combines science, engineering, collaboration, and problem-solving while reinforcing concepts related to severe weather and natural hazards. Students demonstrated creativity and critical thinking as they developed ideas to keep citizens safe before, during, and after a hurricane. Students modeled real-world approaches to hurricane forecasting, warning systems, and mitigation strategies.

This activity supports the standards:

SC.6.E.7.7 Investigate how natural disasters have affected human life in Florida.

SC.6.E.7.8 Describe ways human beings protect themselves from hazardous weather and sun exposure.

By developing solutions to real-world challenges, our young scientists got a firsthand look at how science and engineering can help protect their communities. Another great example of hands-on learning in action at Landon!

— The Lion's Quill