County Library, 4-H to Present Legopalooza

COURT HOUSE – The Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Program and the Cape May County Library have teamed up to offer a day of Lego themed fun at the Lockwood Youth Center, 355 Courthouse – S. Dennis Road. This free family event is slated for Feb. 23, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. The afternoon will include hands-on activities, screenings of Brick Films and a Lego Contest.
Legopalooza is designed to offer kids a taste of the 4-H fair experience; including opportunities to showcase original work, enjoy hands-on activities and receive recognition for their efforts. Activities will be offered by staff from the Cape May County Library, 4-H staff and volunteers and 4-H Teen Ambassadors. The day will include screenings of stop motion “Brick” films, Lego Mindstorms Robotics activities, and stations with Lego Games, Lego inspired print making and brick activities designed to engage kids in engineering challenges.
Participants are invited to bring their own Lego creations to showcase and enter in a Lego Contest. The contest includes two categories for 4 different age groups. The “Kit Build” category is for entries built according to instructions. ‘Kit Bash” entries are those that involved original construction or design. Age groups will include 5-8, 9-12, 13-16 and 17-Adult. Participation awards will be offered as well as awards for each age group. Group entries can be entered, but should be entered in the age group of the oldest participant. Local educators and community members have been recruited to judge the contest.
The Cape May County Library is well known for their investment in Lego. Area branches offer monthly Lego Club Meetings “Legos are an avenue to promote literacy through storytelling. Our Lego Clubs also help young people develop positive social skills, through cooperative building activities. ” explains Children’s Librarian Kellie Large.
The County’s new 4-H Agent, Julie Karavan, hopes to develop a series of cooperative Lego programs with the County Library. “4-H promotes positive youth development for kids from kindergarten through one year out of high school. The library is the perfect venue for community clubs, and Lego has enormous appeal to a wide range of ages. I hope to partner with the County Library to establish Junior First Lego League groups as well as county Lego robotics programs.”
The event is free and open to the public. In order to help plan for the event, registration is requested. Arrangements can be made to drop off Lego entries in advance of the event. The Cape May County 4-H Foundation plans to run a concession stand during the event. For more information and to register, contact the 4-H Youth Development Office at (609)465-5115 ext 605.