An exciting new initiative is on the horizon at Upper Grand District School Board in partnership with the Ontario Public School Board Association (OPSBA) and Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) programs French STEM education. This program is designed to make learning French more interactive, engaging, and fun for students from elementary to high school. But this goes beyond textbooks and grammar drills; it's about hands-on creativity, problem-solving, and innovation. And what better way to bring that to life than with LEGO Spike?
French teachers are participating in a Professional Development training session, preparing to introduce this unique initiative into their classrooms. They are exploring how LEGO-based STEM activities can transform French learning into an immersive experience.
As Nicola Gallagher, one of the session leaders, explained, "When students are actively building and creating, they're also learning language in a natural way. They're not just studying French they're living it."
For many students, learning a second language can feel intimidating. However, when French is woven into something they love like hands-on building and problem-solving it becomes second nature.
By combining French with STEM, students not only practice their language skills but also develop critical problem-solving abilities. David Kaufman, another leader of the PD session, emphasized this point:
"STEM is all about discovery and innovation. When we integrate French, we're opening even more doors for students giving them the confidence to think, create, and communicate in two languages."
As this program rolls out in schools from April to June, students will experience an entirely new way of learning. With LEGO in their hands and French in their conversations, they'll be building more than just structures they'll be building confidence, creativity, and a passion for learning.
One brick at a time, this French STEM initiative is shaping the next generation of innovators, problem-solvers, and bilingual leaders.
