Creativity spews from the LEGO Discovery Center at Springfield Town Center since its opening in August 2023. Seven-year-old Lawrence or “LJ” of Lynbrook Elementary School was in on this creativity when he built a toucan bird out of LEGOs, earning him the title of “Mini Master Model Builder at LEGO Discovery Center Washington, D.C.”

“The friendly competition was very close, and the builder beat out more than 50 other amazing builders,” said LEGO spokesperson Admire Brown.

LJ and Master Model Builder Andrew. 

 

The overall theme of this competition was animals, and LJ went up against a LEGO penguin that was runner up, and a sea turtle among the 50 other entries. LJ’s penguin was a “very impressive build,” Brown said. The competition was online.

LJ described his toucan on the award video. “The tail goes up and down, the wings flap and goes all the way around,” he said. “I made the bill too.”

Next is the national competition and LJ will go up against 29 national entries. LJ will be vying for the title of North America’s Mini Master Model Builder. Their theme is to build something that reminds you of home, so LJ is looking around Springfield for inspiration.