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Legos build skills, fun at Bricks Academy in Terrell Hills
By Miranda Koerner : July 16, 2012 : Updated: July 18, 2012 11:21am
Photo By Miranda Koerner / for North Central News
Jim O’Brien gazes upon a model town built by students of Bricks Academy.
Forget pens and pencils or flash cards. The students at Bricks Academy explore everything from weight distribution and speed dynamics to robotics using a sole tool: Lego, the famed toy building brick.
Lots and lots of Legos.
“They start with a single brick and learn how to build layers onto it, “ Jim O'Brien, co-owner and founder of Bricks Academy, with wife Beth, said.
“The great thing about Legos is there is no wrong way. The (kids) are free to use their imagination, creating everything from buildings to cars to trains. Our purpose in life is not to play but to teach and have fun learning.”
Jim, a swimming instructor and Beth, a music teacher at San Antonio Academy in Monte Vista, had been working with children for years.
One of Jim's pupil's mothers told them about Lego robotics and bricks and suggested they open up an educational program using the popular toy to teach everything from fine motor skills to mathematics.
The O'Briens received permission from Lego corporate headquarters and created Bricks Academy, a program that relies on creative thinking through Legos.
“They're not playing, they're learning. They just don't realize it,” Beth explained about students in Bricks Academy.
“They learn cooperation and interacting, as we often stop and have the children talk about what everyone did, what everything on their build means and everyone listens. Children that had no social skills, or if they had poor social skills, are chatterboxes by the time they leave here.”
The O'Briens developed a strategy based upon the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) curriculum.
Through integrated learning, STEM allows students to solve problems and collaborate with others in building real solutions while formulating reading, writing and verbal skills along with math, science and engineering.
Bricks Academy classes are held at St. David's Episcopal School in Terrell Hills, where the O'Briens reside.
Along with a building cars and skyscrapers, the O'Briens have a Lego robotics program. The children build an alligator out of Lego bricks and hook it up to a computer program, “teaching” it to open and close its jaws.
Another class favorite is the racetrack, where students focus on building the fastest car and making as many adjustments necessary until it wins. A giant table in the adjoining room holds a huge city of skyscrapers with a moving train and floating alien ship.
“You can build whatever you want,” student Will Moser, 8, said. “It's fun. My favorite thing is building the skyscrapers. It was supposed to have four levels but I had six—it's bigger than the other buildings.”
A small staff assists the O'Briens in helping the children through the informal lessons, so every child receives personal instruction.
“It offers kids the opportunity to be creative with math and science skills, like we count the number of studs (dots raised on each brick) and number of bricks (the Lego blocks),” said staff member Robyn Johnson, who works as a elementary teacher during the year.
“In my classroom, I don't have the opportunity to let them use creativity in the curriculum. Hands-on is so different than out of the book. When I was in the fifth grade, I had a teacher that did hands-on stuff with us and loved it. She's the reason I'm a teacher today.”
After raising two sons, the O'Briens enjoy long days filled with eager boys ranging from 5 to 15 years old, ready to bring their Lego creations to live. However, Beth says many girls are interested in robotics and racing as well.
“The girls are as competitive as the boys,” Jim laughed, holding up a racecar built entirely from Legos.
“A girl built this and won the race. She had all these reasons behind it and tweaked it so it was more streamlined. They love building as much as the boys do. A 5-year-old can do the same build as a 15-year-old; the 15-year-old may just take it to another level.”
To encourage more girls to take classes, the O'Briens offer special girls-only workshops that focus on science, technology and mathematics and offer Legos in feminine colors such as pink and purple.
“I've always loved Legos since I was a little girl,” parent Elizabeth Boddy said. “However, as the mother of girls, I tend to put more emphasis on reading and writing and less on math and science. The gender bias is ingrained in all of us. Girls need both.”
In addition to holding “Mommy and Me” classes for the age 3 and under set, the O'Briens are planning on starting a men's night out in the fall for adult men, who can get their hands on Legos. They also offer birthday parties at the academy.
“The only difference between men and boys is the price of their toys,” Jim said.
But for the O'Briens, the greatest joy is working with the children.
“They love it here,” Beth said. “The children can't wait to come here. Last week a mother told me that her child woke her up at 5:30 a.m. because there was so much to get done. Children are having fun, engaged and don't want to leave.”
For more information, visit http://bricksacademy.com.
Miranda Koerner is a San Antonio-based freelance writer.