For nearly 60 years children throughout the world have been playing and creating with the colorful bricks invented by a Danish carpenter named Ole Kirk Christiansen. Christiansen began designing a brick that would allow the stacking ability of regular blocks but because of its interlocking ability would allow for more creative building possibilities. He named this toy “Lego” after the Danish phrase “leg godt,” which means “play well.” LEGO bricks have withstood the test of time because of the unlimited possibilities to create with them.

Since LEGOs first became available in 1958 children have spent countless hours creating cities, robots, ships and whatever else their imaginations dream up. Playing with LEGOs is not only fun, it is educational as well. For younger children it provides patterning practice and fine-motor development. Looking for the right piece for a project strengthens sorting skills which is a key component of the kindergarten math curriculum. Playing with LEGOs teaches problem-solving, teamwork and to think in three dimensions which is essential when studying physics.

For the past several years the Minot Public Library has helped children discover the fun of LEGOs by hosting a monthly LEGO Club the second Tuesday of every month. “LEGO Club is by far one of our most popular programs,” said Susan Baker, a library assistant in the children’s library at MPL. Each month the library staff select different themes for attendees to build and the kids let their imaginations go wild. “It’s great to see what the kids will build,” said Baker who added that the “LEGO creations are on display in the library until the next month’s program.”

Some children take their love of LEGOs to the next level which is LEGO Robotics. Junior First LEGO League for children ages 6-9 and First LEGO LEAGUE for children ages 9-14 are international competitions where children are challenged to build LEGO Robots to complete tasks on a thematic playing surface. Children participate in designing, building, testing and programming robots using LEGO MINDSTORMS technology. In building their robots, children are able to apply math and science concepts they have learned in school. They are able to research challenges facing today’s scientists. In addition, they learn valuable critical thinking, team-building and presentation skills. Most First LEGO League teams participate in tournaments throughout the year; the skills learned in LEGO League are skills that will last a life time.

Since 1998, First LEGO League releases an annual challenge for the LEGO teams. There are three parts to the LEGO challenge: the Robot Game, the Project and the First LEGO League Core Values. In the Robot Game, teams of up to 10 children and two adults build, test and program an autonomous robot using the LEGO MINDSTORMS technology to solve a set of missions. The missions require the robot to navigate, capture, transport or deliver objects on a printed mat. The robot has just 2 1/2 minutes to complete as many tasks as possible. The tasks will follow the annual challenge theme which for 2015 is the “Trash Trek Challenge,” allowing children to explore the exciting world of trash.

Laura Ericson, one of the founders of the First LEGO League team at the Minot Air Force Base, said that “All First Lego League teams are guided by the First LEGO League core values which encourage the kids to compete against the game but still respect their teammates, coaches and even members of other teams.”

“The most important core value is that children have FUN!” Ericson added.

Laura and her husband Clint recently started two First LEGO League teams at the Minot Air Force Base and they have since been assisting the Minot Public Library in developing two teams in Minot. With the help of the Ericsons and generous donations and support from the Minot community, the Minot Public Library has already begun to organize these teams. Janet Anderson, library director, said that the “library is looking forward to being a partner with the Minot LEGO Leagues as we encourage the development of these teams and provide space, support and resources for them.” However, the ultimate responsibility for these teams fall to the children, coaches and mentors.

To be a member of a First LEGO League Team, children must not only have an interest in LEGOs, but they must be dedicated. There can be no more than 10 children on a LEGO Robotics team which competes in tournaments and parents must become involved as coaches, mentors and fundraisers. Teams usually start working on their robots in August when the challenge theme is officially released and they continue to work until early February when they can compete with other teams throughout the state. The winner from the state competition will advance to the regional competitions.

The LEGO world of today may be quite different from the one of 50 years ago, but the main goals remain the same: Have fun and be creative! The Minot Public Library is always ready to help patrons reach this goal and in addition to helping develop LEGO Robotics teams, the library will also be purchasing LEGO Mindstorm sets that will be available for checkout later this year thanks to a grant from ILEAD (Innovative Librarians Explore, Apply and Discover). For more information on the LEGO Club, robotics team or for details on how the library can help kids explore their creativity in other ways call the Minot Public Library’s Children Department at 838-0606.

(Paulette Nelson is the children’s librarian at the Minot Public Library.)