Lansing Tech Studio

❤️ Core Value Spotlight: DISCOVERY

Discovery is about curiosity and learning something new every day. FIRST LEGO League encourages students to explore, ask questions, and seek understanding.

Some examples of DISCOVERY in action:
🌟 Learning how a new sensor works.
🌟 Researching a topic you've never studied before.
🌟 Testing different robot designs to see what works best.
🌟 Asking questions and exploring possible solutions.

The more we discover, the more opportunities we find to grow.

Yesterday, Lansing Tech Studio had the opportunity to lead an Arduino Home Automation project at the Greater Michigan Construction Academy's summer camp—and it was a blast!

Students used temperature sensors and Arduino technology to explore how automation can be used in homes and buildings. It was a fun way to connect coding, electronics, engineering, and real-world problem-solving.

The experience got us thinking: Is this something our community would like to see more of?

We're considering adding hands-on technology and automation projects to our Spring Project Series, potentially even partnering students with local businesses to help design and build simple automation solutions for real-world needs. We're also exploring the possibility of a summer camp focused on coding, electronics, automation, and engineering projects.

Our fall season will continue to focus on robotics, but we love finding new ways for students to apply technology to real-world challenges.

With AI changing the workforce, technical skills, problem-solving, and the skilled trades are becoming more valuable than ever.

Would your student be interested in projects like this? Let us know in the comments! We'd love to hear what kinds of hands-on technology experiences you'd like to see from Lansing Tech Studio.

🌱 Core Value Spotlight: INCLUSION

In FIRST LEGO League, everyone belongs. INCLUSION means welcoming different ideas, experiences, and perspectives while making sure every team member feels valued.

Some examples of INCLUSION in action:
🌟 Inviting everyone to share their ideas.
🌟 Making sure each teammate has a chance to participate.
🌟 Respecting different ways of thinking and learning.
🌟 Encouraging quieter teammates to contribute.

We increase inclusion by providing STEM opportunities for homeschoolers that are not connected with school programs and welcome community members looking for opportunities as well!!

Great teams grow stronger when everyone feels included.

🌿🦋 Looking for ways to start learning about biodiversity this summer?

One of the resources we're exploring is the educational activities from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources! They offer a variety of free, family-friendly ways to learn about nature through hands-on experiences and outdoor exploration.

Here's their website:
https://www.michigan.gov/en/dnr/education/public/natureathome

You'll find activities such as:

🐾 Nature scavenger hunts
🎥 Educational videos
🦅 Wildlife observation activities
🌱 Nature-inspired building and engineering challenges
🎨 Outdoor art projects
🥾 Guided nature exploration ideas
📓 Journaling and observation activities

These types of experiences are a wonderful reminder that learning happens in many different ways. Some children love reading books, others enjoy listening to podcasts, while many learn best by getting outside, observing, building, creating, and exploring firsthand.

As we begin diving into this year's biodiversity theme, we're looking for opportunities to help students and families discover the incredible variety of plants, animals, insects, and ecosystems all around us—starting right in our own backyards.

What are your favorite nature activities to do as a family? 🌳🐝🦋

❤️ This week, our students, families, and volunteers came together to assemble 100+ homeless care packages for the upcoming Father's Day outreach hosted by Essential Blessings.

Each package was filled with practical items to provide comfort, encouragement, and support to individuals experiencing homelessness in our community. The bagged items will then go into a hat or cap for each guest at the event.

At Lansing Tech Studio, we believe that technology, leadership, and service go hand in hand. While our students spend time learning coding, robotics, engineering, and innovation, we also want them to develop compassion, empathy, and a heart for serving others.

Service projects like this remind us that even small acts of kindness can make a meaningful difference. We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Essential Blessings and help share hope with fathers and individuals in need this Father's Day.

Together, we can build a stronger community—one act of service at a time. ❤️

As we start learning about biodiversity this summer, we're gathering resources that work for a variety of learning styles. 🌎🦋🐝

One thing our family loves is listening to kid-friendly science podcasts while we're driving, working around the house, or exploring outdoors. Podcasts are a great way to learn on the go, and they remind us that learning doesn't have to happen sitting at a desk!

Every child learns differently. Some kids learn best by reading books, others by listening, watching, discussing, building, creating, or getting hands-on with projects. The wonderful thing about exploring a topic like biodiversity is that there are so many ways to learn.

If your family is starting to explore this year's biodiversity theme, here are two fun podcast episodes to check out:

🎙️ WOW in the World
"Samurai Wasps vs. The Stink"
https://tinkercast.com/podcasts/wow-in-the-world/samurai-vs-the-stink-the-science-of-invasive-wildlife-species/

🎙️ Who Smarted?
"Invasive Species: How Do Invasive Species Invade?"
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1319-who-smarted-educational-p-71932605/episode/how-do-invasive-species-invade-164946167

What are your favorite podcasts, books, documentaries, YouTube channels, or hands-on activities for learning about nature and biodiversity? We'd love to add more resources to our summer learning list!

💡 Core Value Spotlight: IMPACT
The work students do in FIRST LEGO League can make a difference beyond the competition table. IMPACT means using what we learn to help others and improve our communities.

Some examples of IMPACT in action:
🌟 Sharing research findings with community members at our demo days.
🌟 Teaching younger students about STEM.
🌟 Creating a project that addresses a real-world problem.
🌟 Inspiring others to learn and get involved through service projects and community engagement.

Every great change starts with someone willing to take action.

🚀 Core Value Spotlight: INNOVATION
Innovation is all about creativity and trying new ideas. In FIRST LEGO League, students are encouraged to think differently, experiment, and find unique solutions to problems.

Some examples of INNOVATION in action:
🌟 Designing a robot attachment no one has tried before.
🌟 Finding a creative solution during a research project.
🌟 Improving an idea after testing and learning from mistakes.
🌟 Looking at a problem from a completely new perspective.

Innovation happens when students are willing to explore, imagine, and create.

🤝 FIRST Core Value Spotlight: Teamwork

In FIRST LEGO League, no one succeeds alone. Teamwork means listening to each other's ideas, sharing responsibilities, helping when someone gets stuck, and celebrating accomplishments together.

Some examples of teamwork in action:
🌟 A teammate teaches another student how to code a mission.
🌟 Team members divide tasks between research, robot design, and presentations while supporting one another.
🌟 Students encourage each other after a mission doesn't go as planned and work together to find a solution.
🌟 Everyone has a chance to share ideas and contribute to team decisions.

The best teams aren't the ones with the smartest robot—they're the ones that learn how to work together, respect each other's strengths, and grow as a team.

We're excited to help students practice collaboration, communication, and problem-solving while having fun and making new friends.

🤖💙