"Cool" Lego kit at the Public Library

“Cool” Lego kit at the Public Library

What can you make with 35 Legos? The Cool Creations Lego Challenge is coming to Cathlamet Public Library. Practice days for all ages began Tuesday May 19, and will continue from 3:30-4:30 p.m., through Saturday, May 23.

The contest days, with 3:30-4:30pm times, are as follows:

• High School Challenge - Tuesday, May 26

• Elementary School Challenge - Wed, May 27

• Middle School Challenge - Friday, May 29

Fifteen students at a time can sign up to take the challenge. Librarian Carol Blix may extend the challenge time each day if interest is high.

More than 30 local libraries throughout Washington will receive the Cool Creation educational invention kits for children to use for a limited time, courtesy of the Washington State Library.

Public libraries that have signed up for Cool Creations are loaned the Lego kit for two weeks. The libraries host activities to let each student explore the plastic building materials to craft a unique creation and be able to describe its intended purpose. Photos of their completed projects will be posted in the library. Students and parents will also be asked to fill out a short evaluation of the program.

State Librarian Rand Simmons said the STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) and STREAM (science, technology, reading and writing, engineering, art, math) educational kits will benefit libraries that don’t have the resources to buy and provide their own for youth patrons.

“These construction kits are going to many libraries where funding is scarce,” Simmons said. “The smallest libraries don’t have rooms to store Legos, let alone the money to buy the kits. Providing the kits to these libraries will give many kids opportunities to experiment with them and engage their creative side.”