Legos in motion making learning fun

Kathleen Scatigno helped Drew Levitan and Leon Alert with their spin art project at the Firemen’s Field Clubhouse on Feb. 12. The boys built a Lego motorized machine, then applied paint to a spinning canvas.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

Steven Seltzer watched his completed robot move across the room.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

Using Legos to build their motorized machine were, from left, Kimberly Wong, Sonia Zahid and Jean Rimbos.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

Dylan Jarnich, left, and Jerald Lee picked out the Legos they needed.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

Bricks 4 Kidz instructor Evan Flores worked with Robert Munafo, Brianna Jules and Michael Casalino.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

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Few kids, boys or girls, go through their childhood without playing with Legos. But as Bricks 4 Kidz is teaching them, there are many more things to do with the toy beyond simply connecting a few blocks.

Bricks 4 Kidz is in the midst of a five-week educational program for children at the Firemen’s Field Clubhouse in Valley Stream. The Wednesday afternoon sessions, which run through March 5, include Motorized Machines for ages 5-8, and Robotics for ages 9 and up.

These programs take basic Legos and add moving parts. Children hone their problem solving and critical thinking skills. They apply math, science and engineering concepts as they build. Though teamwork, they learn to listen to each other’s ideas to find solutions.

“They learn different inventions and they learn the science principles behind it,” said Kathleen Scatigno, one of the program’s coordinators.

Evan Flores is one of the teachers and assists children with robotics. His students have been learning about different kinds of sensors, and how to programs robots using a computer.

Flores said the purpose of the program is to make learning fun, and he has yet to come across a child who didn’t have a good time. He explained that the kids are able to take what they are learning in school, and apply it to a real project. “Maybe in this program, we develop a future engineer or a scientist,” he said.

Jessica Rimbos said her son, Stephen, has been enjoying himself in the robotics classes. A friends of his recommended the program, and it has proven to be beneficial for the 10-year-old. “He’s excited to come and he doesn’t want to leave,” Rimbos said.

She added that because of the program, her son, who has always loved playing with cars and building things, has become more creative at home.

Tony Jarnich, whose 7-year-old son, Dylan, is taking part in the program, also has glowing reviews. He described his son as “mechanically inclined,” so Motorized Machines is right up his alley.

“He loves building Legos at home,” Jarnich said. “That was my favorite toy as a kid, too. He’s a chip off the old block.”

Steven Seltzer, 9, said the best part of the program has been building robots, but a close second has been making new friends. He has been paired with Stephen Rimbos and Sergio Alcala.

Alcala, 11, said he has been playing with Legos since he was a little kid and is excited to learn how to do more with the blocks. The robotic components have opened up a whole new world for him.

Bricks 4 Kidz also held camps during the holiday recess and the recent Feburary break. Scatigno said the program is becoming very popular in Valley Stream, and a summer camp is in the works, as well. “The turnout is amazing,” she said, “and it keeps getting better.”