We’re so proud of Mr. Podlasek’s and Ms. Pasquinelli’s Longfellow 2nd/3rd graders, who won 1st Place in the LEGO Landmark competition at McCormick Place in Chicago on October 31!
This joint project of the Oak Park Education Foundation’s Geared Up and Architecture Adventure programs involved designing and building an elaborate model of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Home & Studio out of LEGOs. Students researched and toured the Oak Park landmark as well, learning about architecture and architectural history.
Entries were from not just the Chicago area but from across the US – Tennessee, Texas, Ohio, and West Virginia. Our winning entry received over 1,600 votes from LEGO Kidsfest visitors — 46 more votes than the 2nd place finisher.
Congratulations to the talented and hard-working 43 students and 2 teachers who participated, as well as architects George Beach, Kimberly Zeister & Randy Guillot, and all of the parent volunteers who helped. Thanks also to Jan Kieckhefer, Director of Education for the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust.
The competition was designed to provide students an opportunity to explore and learn about their local, regional, or state history while discovering the value and importance of teamwork, imagination, and creative building.
To see more photos and an article from the Oak Park-River Forest Patch, click here. You can also see Gretchen Junker’s photos of the project here.