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Using LEGO bricks for math & more…

Besides being an awesome toy and creative medium, LEGO can be also used for teaching purposes. In fact LEGO bricks are quite common in classrooms and after-class programs to teach anything from math-skills to engineering, robotics, and more. I found this fun little video the other day where LEGO bricks are used to teach fractions – something that is quite difficult to grasp at first. Check it out. 🙂

LEGO Fractions

If you or your kids are having trouble understanding fractions, you can use LEGO bricks to help visualize how the concept works. The shape of LEGO bricks, and the fact that the different sizes are fractions of each other, as well as the placement of the studs all help to see what fractions are about.

What do you think? How did you like the video? Have you used LEGO before to visualize a concept or as a teaching tool? Feel free to share your own experiences and ideas in the comment section below! 😉

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More LEGO Doctor Who news & updates

If you are a regular reader here you probably remember that a few weeks ago a LEGO Doctor Who related project made it to 10,000 public votes at LEGO CUUSOO (see: LEGO CUUSOO Doctor Who & The Big Bang). This means that the project will be considered by the LEGO review team for possible future production as an official LEGO set. Since then another LEGO Doctor Who related project made it to 10,000 votes. This one is by Andrew Clark. So let’s take a look. 🙂

LEGO Doctor Who by Andrew Clark

In many ways Andrew’s idea is quite similar to the previous LEGO Doctor Who project including the iconic scenes and characters from the TV show. Andrew did spend more time though on designing the set, as well as choosing the minifigures, so they all come together as an actual viable LEGO set at just over 500 pieces. Andrew also thought about the box design and gave some ideas on how he envisions it. Below are the details and you can read more on the project’s LEGO CUUSOO page.

LEGO Doctor Who by Andrew Clark 2

The iconic Tardis sits where it all began, Totters Lane. The scene is a typical London street, with brick wall/fencing and lamp-post with Totters Lane sign. The Doctor and his companion stand outside with K9, ready for adventures. The Tardis opens up to become the inner Tardis walls and can be placed next to the console where the Doctor controls their journey through time. The set would include: the Tardis with exterior/interior walls, the interior console (LEGO designers can choose if they want the full console with tilt damage or just the top part), street/interior base, K9 (18 elements), 1 red or gray Dalek (25 elements).

Suggested minifigs are 1 or possibly 2 Doctors (for older and younger fans), and a companion (Rose Tyler if Tennant is chosen as the Doctor, or Clara Oswald if Capaldi is chosen). A Weeping Angel and a Cyberman can also be included. All minifigs would have dual-sided heads with different facial expressions. A LEGO sound-brick with the iconic Tardis sound could also be added.

LEGO Doctor Who Minifigures by Andrew Clark

Andrew also mentions that due to the nature of his design LEGO Doctor Who fans may buy 2 sets; one to have the Tardis on the street scene, and another to have the Tardis unfolded to become the inner walls placed next to console. Total part count including minifigs is around 530 (less if just the top of the console is chosen).

LEGO Doctor Who by Andrew Clark 3

Andrew also thought about the box-design and felt that Doctor Who fans may geek-out if the box was a front view photo (or render) of the iconic LEGO Tardis. The top left window could be the LEGO logo, and below that the white rectangle could have text saying the set number, part count, etc. The box doors could open showing photos of the set. Andrew believes that this design would appeal more to Doctor Who fans, stand out on store shelves, and make the set more unique and collectible. He also suggests that a small pamphlet could be included with details on Doctor Who and the history behind the show.

LEGO Doctor Who Set Details by Andrew Clark

I’m actually pretty sure that LEGO is going to choose a Doctor Who project as the next LEGO CUUSOO set. Two ideas based on Doctor Who reached 10,000 votes very quickly, indicating strong support and demand. The question is, which design will LEGO choose? While we are waiting to find out, you can check out the currently available LEGO CUUSOO sets at the Online LEGO Shop.

Shop LEGO CUUSOO

So what do you think? Which LEGO Doctor Who project do you like more? Would you buy either of them? Which do you think LEGO will choose? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below! 😉

And you might also like to check out the following related posts:

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