News

Engineering the Future

Kelly MacDougall (BEng ’05, Environmental) has been keeping herself busy building hundreds of creations with LEGO bricks since last April. The Director of the Bricks 4 Kidz franchise in Halifax, Nova Scotia is – no surprise – loving every minute of it.  

MacDougall says she and her husband learned about the program through friends while living in St. John's, NL on a temporary work assignment. Upon returning to Halifax, they discovered a market for the business, as there was no program for children that delivered the quality and calibre of enriched learning that this one did, particularly in the fundamentals of engineering.

As a professional engineer and mother of two young children, MacDougall believes it’s vital to introduce S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) concepts at a young age in a way that lets kids be kids.

The Bricks 4 Kidz classes are built around model plans designed by engineers and architects, and incorporate themes such as space and construction. Children are provided with an extraordinary atmosphere to further develop their organizational, fine-motor, and communication skills by collaborating with a partner or peers on a challenging project involving LEGO bricks.

“Having the opportunity to positively influence children is incredible,” says MacDougall. “Our programs are hands-on and it’s so rewarding when you watch children completely engaged in an activity, their cognitive skills developing in front of you, and experience their pride and sense of achievement when they successfully complete a model build.”

“I’ve been very fortunate in the career path I chose. Engineering is a highly rewarding profession that is so full of opportunity. After spending eight years in the consulting industry, this business gives me an opportunity to teach children basic concepts of engineering, allowing them to be creative and innovative and understand that engineering is fun!”

Currently there are five part-time instructors providing weekly enrichment classes in 10 schools and workshops at each EXCEL afterschool program, which includes 62 schools throughout HRM. The classes are also held in community centres throughout the HRM. In addition to enrichment classes, Bricks 4 Kidz also offers in-school field trips, camps, birthday parties and even corporate events. For more information or to enroll in a scheduled program, please visit www.bricks4kidz.com/halifax or contact MacDougall at (902) 240-2457 or kmacdougall@bricks4kidz.com