A 2012 survey of children's toy usage in the UK showed that 92% of 6 to 12 year old children play with LEGO® building blocks. Although LEGO® building blocks can be assembled in myriad structures there are a limited number of building rules that govern construction. Consequently, the use of LEGO® building blocks as a manipulative presents a powerful knowledge structure that can be readily applied to enhance student learning of stoichiometry.
This presentation will outline five hands-on activities that have been developed to leverage student fluency with LEGO® bricks to improve student learning of stoichiometry. The rationale for the use of LEGO® building blocks, the learning theory that underpins their utility and the precedence for them in chemical education will also be addressed.
Designing student learning opportunities through building toys Designing student-driven, cross-disciplinary digital learning environments Teaching social justice through chemistry