Grant brings Junior Lego League to Ledge Street School in Nashua

NASHUA – Junior Lego League students from Ledge Street Elementary School and Lego League students from Nashua High School North recently visited a number of schools throughout the city to promote both programs. Ledge Street’s Junior Lego League was made possible through a grant from the Nashua Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization that grants funding to projects proposed by educators that aren’t covered by school budgets. Junior Lego and Lego League are part of the FIRST program. With the funding and help from volunteers such as Junior Lego League parent coordinator Colleen Rice, Ledge Street School was able to participate in two Junior Lego League Challenges and offered students opportunities to build with Lego Mindstorm NXT Kits. “It has been an amazing experience to work with the kids on these projects,” Rice said. “I have watched kids who would typically get in trouble for being busy in class absolutely thrive with the hands-on task of building and programming. “One child even went out to the local library following camp and began planning his robot he wants to someday build.” Ten students were in the fall program, and the program will continue through the spring with more workshops for the children. In just a few weeks, the students progressed from being overwhelmed with all the pieces to expertly handling the challenges the technology posed. “One of the best lessons I think the kids have learned so far is not to give up, and keep at it,” Rice said.