Hands-on: See Camas Ridge fourth graders put together a LEGO model of their new school

Ahead of the school's grand opening, Camas Ridge Community School fourth graders are working to complete a LEGO replica of the school.

Camas fourth graders crowded around the table where the LEGO project was under construction on Tuesday. Each took a turn placing a piece, guided by guest visitors, before rotating back around. The students were excited and patient as they waited their turn.

"One of the thoughts we had was, let's make it an educational opportunity," said Craig Runyon, PIVOT Architecture marketing director. "(We) thought that (LEGO) would be a really good way to demonstrate the design ability of the school and some of the methods around it. We've never done this before, so we didn't even know if it was possible."

The LEGO model was made in partnership with PIVOT Architecture, Connected Lane County and the Eugene Bricks and Minifigs store. PIVOT commissioned Connected Lane County staff and students to design the initial model using LEGO set design software. The design was then sent to Bricks and Minifigs to streamline and order the 3,500 LEGO pieces. Once the build is finished, it will be more than 4 feet long, 3 feet wide and 1 foot tall.

PIVOT has designed and built the last three 4J elementary schools. The firm wanted to give students a hands-on experience of building the school. So, it came up with the LEGO idea.

"There's been a lot of enthusiasm about being part of the open house that's coming up, being part of the build," Runyon said. "Having it be applied learning and having a student-designed, student-built project is really kind of an enriching aspect to it."

This project is just one way the students are getting involved in welcoming the community. Other grade levels were working the weeks leading up to the grand opening on projects that will be displayed. Fifth graders are being trained to give families tours of the new building.

Marissa Silver, fourth grader teacher at Camas Ridge, said the school puts an emphasis on project learning.

"Our new building was designed with project-based learning in mind," Silver said. "We're learning about architecture in this project by creating an architectural model using a medium that most kids recognize, which is LEGO. So we're not just talking about the thing, we're doing the thing."

The Camas Ridge open house and grand opening will be held on Thursday, Oct. 24 at 6 p.m.

Miranda Cyr reports on education for The Register-Guard. You can contact her at mcyr@registerguard.com or find her on Twitter @mirandabcyr .

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Hands-on: See Camas Ridge fourth graders put together a LEGO model of their new school