BUILDING COMPETITION FOR GIRLS & BOYS IN
GRADES 1-6
GRADES 1-6
BLOCK KIDS was created in 1990, with the objective of engaging elementary school children in the creative thinking and reasoning skills used by people in the design and construction professions. As self-directed career thinking is starting to occur at an even-earlier age, it also introduces them to design and construction as a possible career path.
Students in grades 1-6 are given a tool kit of 90 interlocking blocks, 1 piece of string, 1 piece of aluminum foil and 1 piece of construction paper. They are given 45 minutes to create a “mini-model” of a “commercial” structure of their own imagination – schools, recycling centers, and space stations have all been created by our students. The creative process is then followed by a brief consultation with a local industry volunteer (aka “Building Inspector”), who talk to the student about his/her project and the process of thinking and making. In these conversations, students are judged on their oral presentation, clarity of purpose, etc.
Awards are given for each age division and an overall winner is selected to advance to regional competition. A national winner is selected from regional competitions. It’s not about winning because every “contractor” is a winner just by participating and will receive a “goodie bag” and a certificate of participation.
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Other ways to support this activity:
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Judge - As a judge, you will talk to the children about their project and complete a scoring form. We anticipate 100 kids participating in the event, so we will need several Building Inspectors. No experience necessary. Judges will need to be at the event location by 9:30 am, the day of Block Kids. Please also plan to be at Block Kids until noon.
Sponsor (Company) - As a sponsor, your company will be recognized on the day of the event as well as in our Chapter’s social media activity leading up to the event. We hope to have news crews broadcasting live to inform the public of NAWIC’s interest in promoting education to children as well as enhancing the success of women in construction.
Participant Bag - Each child will receive a bag with the Block Kids logo that is filled with goodies! Items such as (but not limited to) rulers, pencils, construction type coloring books, crayons, etc. are needed. If planning to donate, please provide at least a quantity of 100 for all bags to include your donation.