New Elementary STEAM Program Adds LEGO® Education

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 3, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- NTC Research Foundation's recently announced national STEAM elementary education program, Bee on the Team (BOTT), is already gaining momentum with the addition of LEGO® Education.

LEGO Education now joins the NTC Research Foundation, FIRST® LEGO® League Jr. and The National Theatre for Children in delivering this first-of-its-kind STEAM learning experience to elementary students nationwide.

"LEGO Education is proud to collaborate with this team of STEM educators to bring this unique STEAM program to schools in 2017" says Colin Gillespie, President of LEGO Education North America. 

Set to launch in early 2017, BOTT aims to reach more than 200,000 students in 500 elementary schools in need of STEAM education experiences. The addition of LEGO Education ensures that students receive hands-on, in-classroom learning opportunities that make elementary science come to life.

"We're thrilled to have LEGO Education join this already thriving program," stated Ward Eames, chairman of NTC Research Foundation. "LEGO Education's combination of technology paired with LEGO bricks inspires students to ask questions, define problems and puts scientific discovery right in their hands."

NTC Research Foundation, through funding from sponsors, will deliver 50 LEGO Education WeDo 2.0 education kits to each school participating in BOTT. The kits offer a robot-based learning system that supplements curriculum provided to teachers. The WeDo 2.0 kits are key to BOTT, as they motivate students to take the next step to enroll in a FIRST LEGO League Jr. robotics team at their school. By sparking their interest, BOTT aims to inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists.

Also key to the 2017 national launch of BOTT is participating corporations that fund the program and aim to educate students on the benefits of STEAM-related opportunities.

For sponsors interested in learning more about Bee on the Team, NTC Research Foundation's, Ward Eames will host a webinar at noon CST on December 6 featuring Mark Giordano, vice president of development at FIRST, LEGO Education's elementary specialist, Jenny Nash, and Frank Maciel, Manager of Product Development, The National Theatre for Children. To learn more, sign up at: https://cc.readytalk.com/r/rf8kl3boj42z&eom.

About NTC Research Foundation
The NTC Research Foundation (NTCRF) is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization with a mission to develop, measure and publish better ways to educate young people on important life skills utilizing a combination of outcome-based educational pedagogy. NTCRF is based in Minneapolis, but has both national and international program reach. Our research projects are funded by corporate, nonprofit and government agencies seeking to understand the power of educational events and multiplatform curriculum to educate and drive behavior change.

NTCRF introduces health and wellness, financial literacy, STEM-related subjects, character development, energy efficiency, environmental issues and peer-to-peer education to K-12 students through programs developed by The National Theatre for Children. The programs routinely reach millions of children throughout any given school year. The NTC Research Foundation is proud to deliver programs to students who may not have the opportunity for such enrichment programs without the generosity of our sponsors.

About NTC
NTC is an award-winning educational content provider whose methods include theatrical all-school assemblies, print and digital curriculum, professional development, extracurricular events and volunteers-in-the-schools. Adjusting to changes in the education landscape is a challenge we meet year after year, presenting vital information and life-skills to students on behalf of our clients and sponsors. We proudly partner with organizations that have a mission, goal or mandate to make a real difference in their communities. NTC has developed the art of teaching through educational story-telling into a science of its own, and is an international company with operations in the United States, Australia and New Zealand. www.ntccorporate.com

About FIRST®
Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, N.H., FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, and engineering. With support from over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies and more than $30 million in college scholarships, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST® Robotics Competition for students in Grades 9-12;FIRST® Tech Challenge for Grades 7-12; FIRST® LEGO® League for Grades 4-8; and FIRST® LEGO® League Jr. for Grades K-4. Gracious Professionalism® is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. To learn more about FIRST, go to www.firstinspires.org.

About LEGO® Education
LEGO® Education offers playful learning experiences and teaching solutions based on the LEGO system of bricks, curriculum-relevant material, and physical and digital resources to preschool, elementary, middle school, and after school. In partnership with educators for more than 35 years, LEGO Education supports teaching in an inspiring, engaging, and effective way. Its educational solutions, which range from the humanities to science enable every student to succeed by encouraging them to become active, collaborative learners, build skills for future challenges, and establish a positive mind-set toward learning. www.LEGOEducation.us

SOURCE NTC Research Foundation