LEGO Systems, Inc. To Build Nation Of LEGO® Makers

WASHINGTON, June 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- LEGO Systems, Inc., makers of the world's leading construction toys, today joined the White House in celebration of the Week of Making, June 12 -18, with a series of activities that amplifies the importance of play, prototyping and making in the coming year. LEGO Systems will initiate hands-on, minds-on making activities at the National Maker Faire in Washington, DC on June 12-13, again in September at the 2015 World Maker Faire and at the 2015 Innovation Festival hosted by the Smithsonian and USPTO.  With a goal of inspiring more makers across the country to bring their ideas to life, the company kicks off the "Are You a LEGO® Maker?" challenge today giving up to 50 makers the opportunity to receive prototyping kits to help realize their innovative ideas. The company will also provide inspirational maker content through its YouTube channel and LEGO Club magazine, which reaches more than 2 million children. For more information on National Week of Making visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/nation-of-makers and follow #NationofMakers on Twitter.

"The same inventive spirit at the core of the maker movement is also at the core of every LEGO building experience. The introduction of the LEGO® MINDSTORMS™ robotic toolkit in 1998 accelerated the LEGO System of Play as a prototyping tool among builders around the world," said Michael McNally, senior director, brand relations for LEGO Systems. "Since that time, inventors of all ages and all levels of expertise have prototyped their inventions with LEGO robotic sets and bricks, creating everything from a baseball mudder to a braille printer to a pancake maker. Many of these inventors manufactured products based on these prototypes that were often patented and sold to the public, so we look forward to seeing what the next generation of makers builds to life."

From Play to Prototype

To encourage this type of tinkering and exploration, LEGO Systems today announced the "Are You a LEGO Maker?" Prototyping Challenge where makers, ages 13 years and older, from around the United States are invited to apply for one of up to 50 LEGO Making kits to help them prototype their innovative ideas.

For showcasing a compelling reason needed to power the prototyping process, winners will receive a LEGO Prototyping Kit, including a LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 kit, one thousand LEGO bricks and elements, access to a LEGO MINDSTORMS Expert Builder and the book, Spirit of Invention: The Story of the Thinkers, Creators, and Dreamers Who Formed Our Nation. The challenge opens today and runs through July 13. For more information visit www.LEGO.com/Maker.

A Nation of Makers Building Together

LEGO Systems, Inc. will welcome thousands to try their hands at making by hosting a large communal building event at the inaugural National Maker Faire on June 12-13, on the campus of the University of the District of Columbia. Called "Maker Nation," the experience invites makers of all ages to build a custom model and then place it within the outline of a map of the United States. The completed LEGO map of the USA will measure 30' x 50' and contain nearly one million LEGO bricks and elements and will be a visual symbol of the power of making.

"By encouraging Maker Faire attendees to participate in this communal LEGO build, we are hoping to remind them how easy it can be to start making and encourage them to explore their inner inventor all through the hands-on fun of LEGO play," said McNally.

Maker Sessions in the Playroom

Building or construction play benefits children on multiple dimensions, nurturing cognitive and motor skills along with developing social, emotional and imaginative skills. Parents can find free downloadable activities and play tips at LEGO.com/Maker. Additional insights and inspiration will be made available to millions of families in the September issue of the LEGO Club magazine. Visit www.YouTube.com/LEGO for more Making inspiration in our LEGO Making video playlist.

About LEGO Systems, Inc.

LEGO Systems, Inc. is the North American division of The LEGO Group, a privately held, family-owned company with headquarters in Billund, Denmark, and main offices in Enfield, USA, London, UK., Shanghai, China, and Singapore. Founded in 1932 by Ole Kirk Kristiansen, and based on the iconic LEGO® brick, it is one of the world's leading manufacturers of play materials.

Guided by the company spirit: "Only the best is good enough", the company is committed to the development of children and aims to inspire and develop the builders of tomorrow through creative play and learning. LEGO products are sold worldwide and can be virtually explored at www.LEGO.com.  

For more news from the LEGO Group, information about our financial performance and responsibility engagement, please visit http://www.LEGO.com/aboutus.

LEGO, the LEGO logo, the Minifigure, MINDSTORMS and brick and knob configuration are trademarks of The LEGO Group.  ©2015 The LEGO Group.

About "Are you a LEGO Maker?" Competition

No purchase necessary.  Many will enter; only 50 will win.  For US residents 13 years and over only.  Enter between June 12 and July 13 2015.  Sponsor: LEGO Systems, Inc.  Void where prohibited.  See www.LEGO.com/Maker for full Official Rules.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Kristin Greene for LEGO Systems
[email protected] / (415) 987-1065

SOURCE LEGO Systems, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.lego.com

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