CEHC Hosts 2nd Annual Lego Challenge

By Sophie Coker 

ALBANY, N.Y. (Nov. 14, 2024) — Superheroes from UAlbany’s College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security, and Cybersecurity (CEHC) hosted local children at ETEC earlier this week for the CEHC Lego Challenge. Children had the opportunity to participate in superhero-themed brain games and STEAM activities, including puzzle challenges and Lego trivia.  

The event saw over 200 registered attendees from across the Capital Region and was open to children ages 5 through 10. Erin Couture, associate director of student experiences at CEHC, says that accessibility was an emphasis in the planning of the Lego Challenge. The event, sponsored by Pioneer Bank, was free for parents and kids on Veterans Day “to provide this opportunity to any and all kiddos to open their minds up to endless possibilities.” 

Alongside buckets of Legos, CEHC brought the Drone Lab and robo-dogs for children to get first-hand experience with machines and programming.  

Over 30 faculty, staff and student volunteers dressed in bright yellow superhero capes and wore Lego glasses that could be built on. The theme and challenges were developed by CEHC students in a UAlbany Freshman Seminar course, with specific hopes of getting girls engaged in STEAM. “Students are the best recruiters and ambassadors,” CEHC Vice Dean Jennifer Goodall said. 

Zorawar Singh Rai, an Electrical and Computer Engineering major and student in the Freshman Seminar, added that “Legos are a good introduction to fostering imagination and building things. They’re fun, creative and engaging.”  

Goodall emphasized the importance of Legos in getting children interested in STEAM: “They don’t know that they’re coming up with solutions when they play with Legos, but problem solving is the ultimate tool!” One challenge involved putting superheroes like Batman and Ms. Marvel into hideouts through a series of clues. “We need diverse thinkers coming up with tomorrow’s solutions,” Goodall said. 

Older children had the chance to visit ETEC’s Makerspace, where there are lines of 3D printers, laser cutters and other emerging technologies. Options for more advanced challenges included coding, button making and creating paracord bracelets. Couture said that “introducing young kids to Legos gives them a chance to take the next step towards the Makerspace.” 

“I love Legos a bunch,” said Emerson, age 6. “My brother loves Legos, so he gave me some to me and we play with them over the weekend together, and I love them too. Legos are for everybody!”