Propulsion - Using LEGO® blocks to help young students stay motivated in school

(Photos and videos available on demand)

MONTREAL, May 14, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Over a thousand young students from underprivileged communities in 23 elementary schools of the Pointe-de-l'Île and Montreal School Boards took part in the third edition of Propulsion, an innovative and unique program designed to encourage student retention through compelling educational projects. The results of their efforts were officially unveiled today at the WB Games Montréal studio.

Based on a "learning through play" approach, this year's project was aimed at Grade 4 to 6 students and involved building amusement rides with LEGO blocks. Using an entrepreneurial approach combining learning and everyday life, this project was successful at upholding students' motivation, especially with young boys.

The Propulsion project was made possible through collaborative efforts between the Pointe-de-l'Île School Board, the Montreal School Board, WB Games Montréal, the LEGO Foundation, and Brault & Bouthillier, who all have education and student retention at heart.

"Propulsion is an innovative way to bring students to work together as teams, and to develop numerous skills. Through their participation as well as their energy and creativity invested in building their amusement rides, students made the third edition a success. We're very pleased to see a growing interest in our project aimed at young people," said Brigitte Coulombe, Principal at Pie-XII Elementary School and instigator of the project.

"WB Games Montréal is proud to be an active participant in a creative program designed specifically to keep young students in school and to invite them to our studio to showcase their projects. Propulsion's mission fits perfectly with our studio's values and desire to support youth and education, and to contribute to the growth of the community we chose to be a part of," said Martin Carrier, Vice President and Studio Head at WB Games Montréal.

"We're happy and proud to contribute to the development of creativity among our youth, through and educational and creative project," said Ronny Scherer, representative of the LEGO Foundation.

About Propulsion
Launched in 2010 by the Pointe de l'Île school board, overseeing schools located in Montreal's east end, Propulsion is an innovative and unique education program designed to help young students stay motivated in school through compelling French, Math, and Science projects.

About Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, a division of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, Inc., is a premier worldwide publisher, developer, licensor and distributor of entertainment content for the interactive space across all current and future platforms, including console, handheld and PC-based gaming for both internal and third party game titles.

About WB Games Montréal
Since its launch in 2010, WB Games Montréal has more than 300 employees and continues to grow and recruit additional talent. Working with some of Warner Bros. Studios' biggest brands, including DC Entertainment, the studio is focused on the most cutting-edge approach to games for the digital space as well as current and upcoming video game consoles.

About the LEGO Foundation
The LEGO Foundation was established in 1986 and bases all its activities on the belief that every child has the right to play and learn. It owns 25% of the LEGO Group through its investment company. Through product donations, funding and educational support combined with teacher training and research programs, the LEGO Foundation makes LEGO products accessible and applicable for children around the world regardless of social status. Fostering the ability to build core competencies using systematic creativity, logic and reasoning along with playfulness and imagination, the goal is to create a positive impact by inspiring and developing children and youth to become active citizens - and to empower them to create their own future - through fun, creativity and high quality learning.

About Brault & Bouthillier
For the past 65 years, Brault & Bouthillier has been promoting youth's development and learning by offering a high quality, comprehensive, and playful collection of educational and curriculum-based products. We provide training and assistance to teaching professionals and to parents wishing to see children thrive and achieve their full potential.

SOURCE: Warner Bros. Games Montreal

Marc Poisson
514-616-7691
[email protected]