QF’s Tamuq hosts Qatar Academy Teachers’ professional development training

LEGO Education provides continuum of hands-on, playful learning tools that engage every students’ natural curiosity, develop their skills and confidence

STEM experts at Texas A&M University at atar (Tamuq), a

atar Foundation ( F) partner university, sponsored and hosted a virtual Teacher Professional Development Workshop for atar Academy teachers provided through LEGO Education Academy.

The workshop, LEGO Mindstorms Education E 3 Learning Through Play at School, is a hands-on, cross-curricular STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) solution that combines LEGO Technic elements, classroom-friendly software and standards-aligned lessons to spark creative confidence and critical thinking. This programme tackles subjects such as engineering, coding and physics with intuitive guides and smart bricks, and puts real-life STEM topics right at participants’ fingertips.

The workshop topics emphasised hands-on training and LEGO Education Academy learning approaches, including Learning through Play’, Holistic Approach to Learning’ and Characteristics of Play’.

The workshop was conducted by Dr Mohamed Gharib, STEM expert in the Office of Engagement and Certified Teacher Trainer by LEGO Education Academy. Gharib conducted two workshops for 14 teachers from

atar Academy Doha, atar

Academy Al Wakra, atar Academy Al Khor, Awsaj Academy, and

atar Academy for Science and Technology.

Lauren Marcos, Gifted Education Coordinator with F Schools, said, “The E 3 training was very fun and informative. As someone brand new to the world of robotics, it was a lot to learn, and Dr Mohamed was very patient with our group of teachers who were mostly new to E 3. I can see this being a valuable tool in many classrooms and I am sure the students love it ”

The Lego Education workshop introduced teachers to several new strategies and curriculum ideas for teaching Lego Robotics, said Nicole Scott from atar Academy Doha.

“I particularly enjoyed the interactive and hands-on nature of the workshop. Mohamed’s knowledge and experience with problem solving of minor complications on the iPads and robot controllers allowed the workshop to run seamlessly. I came away from the workshop ready to teach my new grade 7’s the intricacies of building and coding successful Lego robots.”

From preschool to middle school and beyond, LEGO Education

provides continuum of hands-on, playful learning tools that engage every students’ natural curiosity and help students develop the skills and confidence they’ll need in the future to pursue careers in STEM.

Sherri Long, a teacher at atar Academy Doha, said the programme was both timely and enriching. “I learned how to effectively implement creative, hands-on learning while utilising LEGO’s Mindstorms Education E 3 Classroom curriculum and pedagogy,” Long said.

“I look forward to inspiring my students to construct and innovate with confidence as they explore the amazing lessons offered through the extensive online resources.”

Dr C sar Octavio Malav , dean of Tamuq, said helping school teachers develop their own skills fits into the university’s mission of being an essential partner to atar.