October 25, 2018 by Reuben Cheeks

Prairie View A&M just held their first-ever LEGO® competition in an effort to bring a fun environment into their school of architecture. Architecture schools across all frames of the world are used to spending long nights of drawing, building and lots of intensive thinking. Prairie View A&M wanted to try something new with design by bringing back the nostalgic toys of the past, LEGO®. There was not much needed to get involvement because students were interested from the very beginning.

This LEGO® competition helped bring their school closer and motivate students by challenging them to put in their maximum effort. Prairie View A&M encourages other chapters to try to bring some healthy competition into their schools. Take a look at the reasons they feel your chapter should implement the same competition.

1. REESTABLISH OR STRENGTHEN YOUR CHAPTER.

Some chapters sometimes struggle with proper studio culture. If your chapter needs a boost or just something to strike some interest, this would be a great start for your local organization. It’s fun to plan with your board and its fun to engage with teams as they are building.

2. TO EXPLORE AND CHALLENGE STUDENTS CREATIVITY.

Time and again, to win the game, or gain the supremacy, requires thinking outside of the box. Competition urges individuals to challenge their status quo and try new things, which in turn improves their creativity and problem-solving skills.

3. TO TEST CRITICAL THINKING, TEAM BUILDING, AND PRESENTATION SKILLS.

Learning happens best when you’re excited about it. A competitive environment is perfect for developing your skills because it pushes you to always give your best.

4. COMPETITION FOSTERS COOPERATION.

In an age of social media and growing individualism, time spent interacting and communicating with others is reducing. However, our ability to work with others to achieve a common goal is an essential skill to develop, not only in sport but in life. Competition allows individuals to learn patterns of social cooperation.

5. REDIRECTS FOCUS TO JUST HAVE SOME FUN.

Students get stressed throughout the year and a LEGO® competition is nostalgic and innovative. Administration, faculty and non-architecture students came to view the fun.