Lego robotics and programming training for teachers supported by EU Code Week grant program in Latvia
In April, the Latvian Information and Communication Technology Association (LIKTA) announced the call for the EU Code Week support grant programme within the framework of the Code4Europe project. Organizations from all over Latvia were invited to apply for grants to implement initiatives that develop digital skills, programming, and algorithmic thinking throughout the country.
Project "LEGO robotics and programming training for teachers" designed by the Liepaja Municipal Education Department Science and Education Innovation Center (ZIIC) was one of the approved initiatives for the EU Code Week support grant. The project aimed to equip Center with modern tablets to be used together with LEGO robotics kits, implementing a teacher training cycle that will allow this knowledge and skills to support children in the daily learning process.
Practical lessons and first challenges
On October 28, the ZIIC organized the firsttraining of pre-school teachers working with LEGO SPIKE Essential constructors. 22 pre-school teachers participated in the training. Teachers practiced assembling LEGO structures and mastered the basics of programming, writing code on tablets, using icon blocks to trigger the created structure.
Lesson plan "Introducing the LEGO SPIKE Essential Kit and the Basics of Visual Programming".
The educators admitted that the programming phase sometimes posed challenges and required prior in-depth study and detailed study of the application; however, they appreciated the opportunity to practically try out the robotics sets themselves, which gave encouragement for further work.
Future plans and technological support
Given the great interest of educators, at the beginning of the second semester of the school year 2025/2026, additional robotics trainings are planned for both pre-school and primary school educators to strengthen their skills and ensure a quality learning process in STEM areas.
The 7 Samsung Galaxy A Tab tablets purchased as part of the project will significantly renew and improve the material and technical base of the Science and Education Innovation Center. The purchased devices will allow to continue providing high-quality and modern robotics and programming classes, providing teachers with the necessary tools to implement the learning content. The tablets will be used in both teacher training and student classes, promoting children's interest in STEM, developing digital skills, logical thinking and creativity.
Methodological materials are available to everyone.
About Municipal Education Department Science and Education Innovation Centre
Since 2020, the Municipal Education Department Science and Education Innovation Centre has been implementing free access to the city's pre-school and general education institutions, offering modern, high-quality and practical learning content in the Nature House, FabLab Liepaja and STEM House. Within the framework of free access, teachers have the opportunity to conduct lessons in the premises of the centre using modern equipment, methodological resources and transport provided by the municipality.
- In the Nature House, emphasis is placed on nature research, and educators have the opportunity to use both indoor installations and research equipment, as well as to organize outdoor classes in nature.
- FabLab Liepāja is a digital manufacturing laboratory where students, under the guidance of teachers, learn how to operate such equipment as laser cutter, vinyl cutter, CNC miller, thermopress, etc.
- The STEM House hosts practical science experimentation classes, science theatre performances, as well as LEGO robotics classes where students get to know the basics of programming and engineering.
In the school year 2025/2026, from September 16 to December 5, ZIIC hosted more than 82 visits to STEM House. Total of 1,557 children participated in robotics classes. These indicators confirm the high demand for high-quality STEM activities and the need to regularly update technical equipment to ensure a continuous and high-quality learning process.
More information about the Code4Europe project.
#Code4Europe #EUCodeWeek
The activities of the Code4Europe project are funded by the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA), Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL), project No. 101158834 — Code4Europe. In Latvia, the Code4Europe project is implemented by the Latvian Information and Communication Technology Association.
