Area children enjoyed weeklong summer camps providing an opportunity to build with LEGO bricks and learn about agricultural systems.

The Exploration Place Lego-mania Agricultural and Animal Care Camp for 2024 was held in each of the 26 counties served by the Hansen Foundation and was largely funded by a Foundation grant. The camps engaged 594 7- to 12-year-old children, providing them with valuable STEM exposure focused on agricultural engineering and animal care.

The children got an opportunity for hands-on learning about the science behind farming and it opened their eyes to the vital role agriculture plays in their daily lives.

“The girls loved the camp, and I loved how they tied agriculture into the curriculum. It’s important and vital to the things we do and use every day and sharing that with youth who don’t know is great,” one parent said.

One of the most memorable projects involved building small robots that replicated farming tasks. The campers were tasked with creating tractors using LEGO bricks and balloons for power, bringing the world of agriculture and engineering together. The children loved this activity, and it helped solidify their understanding of how machinery works in farming environments.