Construction Zone

BigBrain Lab

Academy coming soon

Preschool – K

MiniBuilders An exciting combination of activities, games and lots of LEGO®  and K’NEX®. Games work on sequencing, number and letter recognition, sight words, counting, mini-math and more! Students will build everything from an apple to a zebra! Participants work independently, in small groups and on cooperative projects.

Preschool - K programs use the larger building bricks.

My Town  new In this exciting program we plan and build the roads, buildings and vehicles all around my town. We learn about other types of cities, towns and neighborhoods building castles, bridges, pagodas towers and pyramids. Participants work independently, in small groups and on cooperative projects.

Preschool - K programs use the larger building bricks.

K - Grade 1

Constructioneer All building all the time! Kids, we use a construction site theme and also build castles, pagodas, pyramids, towers bridges and mini inventions. A unique combination of activities, games, how things work, how things are made, cool mini inventions and lots of LEGO® and KNEX®. Participants work independently, in small groups and on cooperative projects.

Planes Trains & Automobiles This program features our favorite modes of transportation, planes, trains and automobiles with LEGO®  and KNEX®. We build everything the traveling imagination holds as we get under way and on the move. Participants work independently, in small groups and on cooperative projects.

Forts & Castles Forts are an all time favorite of builders. Castles of Medieval Times, moats, keeps, battlements, magical princess balconies with lots of LEGO® . Creative construction of the forts and castles of your child’s imagination. Towers, bridges, fortress, regal palaces. Participants work independently, in small groups and on cooperative projects.

Grade 1 - Grade 3

Treasure Seekers "X" marks the spot in this program. We are looking for treasure in all the right places; pirate ships, King Tut’s tomb, in the castle city and in space with LEGO®  and KNEX®. Be ready to create and follow a treasure seeking adventure. Treasure Seekers Cities will have a primary focus on treasure cityscapes. Treasure Seekers Space will have a primary focus on treasure space worlds. Participants work independently, in small groups and on cooperative projects.

Cool Contraptions This invention based program is all about building contraptions, vehicles and machines that move. Gears, beams, pulleys, wheels, axels, pieces that snap and flex. Everything we need to invent cool things that move with LEGO® and KNEX®. Participants work independently, in small groups and on cooperative projects.

Forts & Castles Forts are an all time favorite of builders. Castles of Medieval Times, moats, keeps, battlements, magical princess balconies with lots of LEGO®. Explore the architecture and design of castles and forts past and present. Towers, bridges, fortress, and regal palaces. Design and build your kingdom. Participants work independently, in small groups and on cooperative projects.

Grade 2 - Grade 4

Space All things space; build a model of the space station, robotic arm, aliens and a futuristic city. How about the Mars Rover, a Star Wars battleship using LEGO® & K’NEX® . Bring your imagination and plans for space travel. Design and build a Moon Base. Participants work independently, in small groups and on cooperative projects.

Great Sports Parks Are you ready sports fans? In this program we will build the Big Houses of Sports; Wrigley Field, Soldier Field, The Cell, Fenway Park etc. with lots of LEGO® . Participants work individually, in small groups and cooperatively on projects.

Space  All things space; build a model of the space station, robotic arms, alien vehicles and a futuristic city of your own design using LEGO® & K’NEX®. How about the Mars Rover, a Star Wars battleship. Bring your imagination and plans for space travel. Design and build a Moon Base. Participants work independently, in small groups and on cooperative projects.

National Treasure new This program will focus on the architecture, historic trivia and a little bit of treasure seeking fun of our United States capital and capital cities. We are blending history, structural engineering, and functionality in an engaging and exciting way. Can you name all of the U.S. presidents? Do you know which buildings comprise the Mall? Participants work individually, in small groups and cooperatively on projects.

Chicago Cities  This program will focus on Chicago architecture, its many bridges and an innovative cooperative program building project! Bridges, urban structures, towers, skyscrapers and how it all fits together. Design and build your Metropolis. Participants work individually, in small groups and cooperatively on projects.

Coney Island  This program will focus on the fun and a little bit of science of the amazing amusement park rides. Design and build a your dream fun park with bumper cars, Ferris wheel, roller coasters and gravity defying rides of your imagination. Participants work individually, in small groups and cooperatively on projects.

Grade 2 - 3

Introduction to Robotics This intro to robotics allows kids to learn the concepts and participate in designing and building robotic challenge projects using LEGO® Robotics and software . Participants learn to program their bots and work individually, in small groups and cooperatively on projects.

Grade 3 +

RoboChallenge Are you ready to take the Robotics Challenge? Roll up your sleeves to design and build robotic creations, problem solving, critical thinking and robotic exploration using LEGO® Robotics and software. Participants learn to program their bots and work individually, in small groups and cooperatively on projects.

Robo BattleBots It's Battlebot time! Enter the robot building lab as you design your very own all new, motorized creature. Will you create a robo-alien with special powers or a fierce, battling, dinobot to race and battle in our robot battle? Participants learn to program their bots and work individually, in small groups and cooperatively on projects.

RoboAdventure new Are you up for a RoboAdventure Challenge? This program will tap into your sense of adventure and imagination as you race your bot through obstacle courses, challenges, races, battles and competitions using LEGO® Robotics and software. A mix of practical science, whacky bot competition and invention adventure. Participants learn to program their bots and work individually, in small groups and cooperatively on projects.

RoboSports Are you ready sports fans? Can you create a robot sports star? Assemble and program your robot to compete against other robots and other teams. Challenge your creativity and thinking skills on this robo playing field using LEGO® Robotics and software. Participants learn to program their bots and work individually, in small groups and cooperatively on projects.

Our new BigBrain Lab programs have increased problem solving and critical thinking challenges.

Programs are targeted at middle school (grade 5+) or high school as indicated on the schedule.

Junkyard Challenge new You are challenged to design and build the fastest, strongest, smallest, largest, lightest, heaviest, most maneuverable, most durable, and coolest machines and structures to accomplish a series of junkyard challenges. Rube Goldberg would be proud! All building elements in the junkyard are used including bricks, Technic pieces, gears, motors, and robotics.