LEGO FUNgineering Class and Camp for Kids Comes to Gilroy in June

3, 2, 1, blast off!

Colorful spaceships made of LEGOs are launched into the sky. Suddenly gravity takes a toll, and they start heading back to earth. Some hit the ground completely intact, while others shatter into pieces.

"I need to make a better spaceship," 9-year-old Jacob Hannigan says as he puts the pieces of his spaceship together. He makes sure the pieces aren't loose, which could explain why the aircraft had a rough landing. 

Hannigan is one of many students enrolled in the LEGO FUNgineering classes held by Renaissance Tots, an educational program whose mission is increase the development of children's creativity and imagination.

The objective of the LEGOs class, taught now at the and moving to Gilroy’s Wheeler Community Center in June, is to introduce basic engineering principles to young children, said founder David Wang. 

"In addition to the engineering principles aspect of the LEGO FUNgineering classes, my personal objective is to make sure each child has at least one moment of true inspiration in each class," he said. 

Hannigan said the class has inspired him to be an architect when he's older. 

"It's fun and you learn how to build things, so when you grow up, it's easier," he said. 

Each class session starts with an assignment. The kids then start working on their assignment. After they are done building, the students must pass different tests, or objectives.

"After we assign each project, we purposely hold back for a little while to let each child ponder how she or he will solve the assignment," Wang said. "We want to see the gears turn in their brains on their own for at least a little while.

For each project each child should “get it” at some point, and that “eureka” moment is what we truly want for each child—a sense of discovery and accomplishment."

Lawrence Seegerger, 8, said he loves going to class because he enjoys building things.

"I like building houses, cars, things like that," he said. "And with LEGOs, you get to build anything you want."

Wang started Renaissance Tots in 2003, which he modeled after similar businesses in San Francisco. 

"My original aim was to offer music, art and dance classes to young children," he said. 

Renaissance Tots also offers additional classes including Kindermusik classes, which focuses on the important role music plays in early childhood development as well as SAT prep classes. The newest class to be added to the mix is the Quiz Bowl Prep class, which will launch this summer and aims to bring out the fun in learning while improving performance on college prep tests. 

"It truly makes my day when I see each child’s face light-up when she/he comes up with an idea to solve each problem," Wang said. "We try to be very supportive of the kids’ efforts."

The first LEGO FUNgineering class in Gilroy will be June 27-July 1, with a second round of classes Aug. 1-5. Sign up through the Gilroy Community Services office at City Hall, 7351 Rosanna St., or online. Call the office at 408-846-0460 for more information.