Check out our 2-minute videos of Geared Up and Architecture Adventure LEGO projects:

• Students in the 2nd/3rd grade class of Mr. Podlasek and Ms. Pasquinelli at Longfellow used our LEGO bricks to build early Native American communities. The project helped reinforce the concepts they learned about early Native American culture and the environments in which they lived. In addition to the video, make sure you also check out Oak Park photographer David Kindler's photos.
• At Longfellow, the entire 5th grade built windmills as part of their studies of how to generate and store energy. Photos by Gretchen Junker are here.
• Watch Ms. Turi's Holmes 3rd graders build and test principles of simple machines using wheels and axles (video by Erich Kittlaus).
• Ms. Ndaiye's Holmes 3rd graders show off their Geared Up engineering skills and enthusiasm with a great sound track by Atiba Jali.
• At our summer BASE Camp, Mr. Kristofer and his students showed off their motorized machines (and motorized animals!), made predictions about how they'd operate, and explained how they were made.

Growing up in Oak Park, kids see Victorian homes all the time. Working with Architecture Adventure coordinator, Adrienne McMullen, Longfellow 4th and 5th graders have been getting the uncommon opportunity to actually study and recreate them.

Using a large folded piece of poster board, the 4th graders are designing and drawing the exterior of their Victorian homes on the front and filling the inside with interior rooms. The students have seen a slide show of Victorian designs as well as examples right here in Oak Park to give them ideas. Leo B. explained that a key feature was "lots of teeth, or 'dentil' detail." Other students noted additional signature details, such as turrets and stained-glass, and incorporated those into their designs.

4th Grader Baxter F. used turrets to accent his house. "The turrets are like in castles, but it's not like you've got guys with bows and arrows, but just to be fancy." His classmate, Kai Y., whose house was quite detailed, said she'd like to live in a house like that since there "are lots of little spots to hide."

A considerable amount of problem-solving and trial-and-error went into the sketches. Will S., a 5th grader, was pointing out the features of his house and debating whether to make his front door bigger. "I could make one of those stained-glass windows around the sides." The 5th graders are doing larger exteriors and are working with colors to achieve a "painted lady" effect.

All the students will cut out their final pieces to reveal realistic profiles of their houses--a whole neighborhood of Victorians!

Make sure to check out Oak Park photographer David Kindler's photos of Longfellow students at work, and the completed projects.