Video: Wakefield pupils learn cyber safety with Mindstorm Lego

Police are using computerised Lego for what has been hailed as an innovative approach to teaching children about online safety.
By The Newsroom
Published 20th Jul 2016, 18:41 BST
Updated 25th Aug 2016, 20:01 BST
PCSO Johny Plummer and children from Greenhill Primary in Wakefield.PCSO Johny Plummer and children from Greenhill Primary in Wakefield.
PCSO Johny Plummer and children from Greenhill Primary in Wakefield.

Pupils at Wakefield’s Greenhill Primary School were given the chance to use Mindstorm Lego kits which feature miniaturised motors controlled by an ‘intelligent brick’ computer. PCSOs taught basic coding to the youngsters on iPads, allowing them to program movements for their creations.

Detective Inspector Dan Tillet, cyber crime lead for Wakefield, said: “Our officers have been working hard to find innovative approaches to cyber-crime prevention.

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“This initiative embraces learning while delivering key messages to a new, computer savvy, generation.”

One of the pupils at Greenhill Primary in Wakefield who took part in the computerised Lego project.One of the pupils at Greenhill Primary in Wakefield who took part in the computerised Lego project.
One of the pupils at Greenhill Primary in Wakefield who took part in the computerised Lego project.

Officers believe that if the children aged nine to 11 are taught how to create programmes and see them in action, they will become more respectful of technology and the need to stay safe when using it.

Scheme organiser PCSO Johnny Plummer, of Wakefield Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Teaching cyber safety is a key part of our police work with young people and we are always seeking new ways of engaging with them.”

The Mindstorm kits were funded by the school.

Related topics:LegoWakefield