Alton Elementary Schools to Showcase Students' LEGO Builds

ALTON - Alton elementary school students will come together to show off their LEGO projects at an upcoming showcase.

From 5:30–6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, 2026, students from North, West and East Elementary Schools will present their LEGO builds at the Alton Square Mall. Amy Miller, who oversees the LEGO teams at these schools, explained that the organization works hard to help kids develop engineering and programming skills through LEGOs.

“It’s a great chance for kids to get to explore their creativity,” Miller said. “It’s the kids showing what they can do and how they can solve the problem.”

Kids in grades third through fifth can join the LEGO teams at each elementary school. These students build a variety of projects, but this year’s theme encouraged them to revitalize an area in the community through a project that focuses on play. Students’ projects had to be inclusive for all and improve the community.

The Alton Community Unit School District #11 recently received a grant that allowed them to purchase LEGO SPIKE kits, which introduced the kids to basic robotics and programming skills. This is a strong foundation for the new robotics program at Alton Middle School. All of these builds and projects will be on display at the showcase on April 9.

Miller loves seeing the kids develop their problem-solving skills through challenges like this. The schools provide the LEGOs, but generally not LEGO kits with step-by-step instructions. Students must experiment and try new builds with the LEGOs.

“This is how I believe that the kids learn best, to let them figure it out on their own,” Miller said. “If they try one thing and it doesn’t work, okay, well, that didn't work. So what can you do differently? What can you change? It’s teaching them problem-solving skills at the same time.”

Earlier this year, the students had the chance to meet with Aaron Hall, a local resident who designed a LEGO river steamboat kit. Miller noted that Hall inspired the students to try new designs and develop their creativity.

Miller is thankful to Hall and the coaches who work directly with the kids, including Kacy Dunham, Bailey Emerick, Julie Gorsage, Deanna Rhoads, Donna Taul, Stephanie Hellemeyer, Jennifer Herring, Katherine Stevenson, Breann Strong, Emily Wolf, Nicole Arview, Lori Beilsmith, Cheryl Fecco, Sharolyn Hartman and Kim Scheurer.

These coaches and their students will be onsite at the LEGO showcase to present their projects and share more about the LEGO team program at Alton elementary schools.

Miller noted that LEGOs can be a fun toy, but more than that, they are a tool to develop critical thinking skills. She hopes the showcase will demonstrate how the students have worked together to grow while having fun.

“It is just amazing to see them learn and grow with the program,” she added. “This is a team effort all around. It’s a team effort amongst the kids. It’s a team effort amongst the coaches. I would love to see people come out and support this program.”

This Featured Article is sponsored by Alton Community Unit School District #11. To get your business or organization featured on www.Riverbender.com, contact us at sales@riverbender.com.

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