Lego: Build structures, work with one another, compete
By DOMINICK ESQUIVEL
The Tower
Every Thursday after school in Room 81, students at Manteca High express their creativity and have some fun with the Lego Club. The builds vary in size and scope: a giant Roman colosseum, a castle with a knight in shining armor, and a replica of the Great Wave are displayed around the classroom.
Teacher and club advisor Matthew Eavenson supplies students with all the Legos they need to build whatever comes to mind. Students can compete with other students to see who has the best build or students can work together and make something big.
“I find that a lot of students are creative, and they have a good imagination,” Eavenson said. “They just need the outlet to get creative. If I ask them to make a spaceship, I’ve seen a lot of cool designs for spaceships.”
Manteca High teacher and Lego Club advisor Matthew Evanson is focused on building Legos at his desk in Room 81. The Lego Club has become a popular outlet for students in its first year. (Moises Ramos)
The Lego Club has been met with excitement in its first year on campus. Students are excited to attend meetings and feel as if they are able to express themselves and have a great time. The students have also been able to create new friendships with people they have met through the club.
“From a social standpoint, I would say a lot of students have really opened up,” Eavenson said. “They really enjoy coming and they get excited, so I think it really helped a lot of students out.”
The Lego Club averages about 20 students per week. Although Eavenson is fine with the numbers, he would like to see more students come to the meetings to show and express their creativity. Eavenson hopes that if more students decide to join the Lego Club, he could maybe move the club to the library, a bigger space.
While it is a creative space, there is also room for competition among the Buffalo builders. Every now and then they will go against each other and compete to see who has the best build. The guillotine competition was one of the Lego Club’s first activities. Eavenson challenged the room to build guillotines inspired by the French Revolution that were both functional and aesthetic. Nate Cardenas, the club’s best builder, won the competition. All 10 guillotines are still displayed in Eavenson’s classroom.
“Let’s see what we can create,” Eavenson said. “I know my students in World History appreciated it.”
The Lego Club likes to implement themes, including houses, cars, spaceships and more.
“I want to give them an outlet to be creative and create something interesting,” he said.