The following are PROSPECTIVE KITS for the 21-22 school year:

OCTOBER

Art Appreciation

I really like the idea of inspiring students to look at artwork from the "LEGO" perspective. How would they represent a famous piece of art? Would they be able to transform the image into something that exceeded the colors on the canvas? Would they be able to interpret the message behind the concept, or create a moving depiction of their own?

With this kit, the students would have an opportunity to build the easel, paint bottles, and canvas with painting.

It would also open up the ability to send them periodic updates of other paintings with new paint bottle colors.

This kit was designed by Todd Merrifield, specifically for this program.

Kit Pricing:

$46.51

NOVEMBER

Native American & Alaskan Indigenous Tribe Month

The chief's headdress is a symbol of power and experience within the tribe. It not only marks the passage of years, but also the successful completion of trials that they have come up against and conquered. I've always loved the majesty of the headdress because every feather is earned, unlike so many other headpieces of royalty, etc.

This kit is a humble tribute to those leaders of tribes who have stood up for their people and their rights, who have lived and died in protection of their culture and the spirit of their people.

This kit was designed by Todd Merrifield, specifically for this program.

Kit Pricing:

$70.72

DEC / JANUARY

National Braille Literacy Month - Braille Typesetter

Using my past experience in the print industry, I thought it would be fun to show the kids what actual typsetting used to look like ... but using the braille alphabet instead. This kit employs the use of buildable letter blocks for each of the letters in the alphabet, along with a couple of punctuation marks, with which the students can build small statements on their tray. Once their "type is set", they can use the buildable crayon holder and create a "rubbing" of their phrase. This kit captures not only the essense of the build, but develops an understanding of both the past printing process, as well as a better understanding of the braille language.

PLUS, they can make fun secret messages that only their friends in the class will be able to decipher!

This kit was designed by Todd Merrifield, specifically for this program.

Kit Pricing:

$46.06

FEBRUARY

Black History Month

When typing "black inventors" into Google, the first response was Garrett Morgan, the creator of the three-light traffic light. I was shocked and excited to know that something so universal to our culture was developed by a black man, and wondered how many people out there knew this wonderful fact.

After developing my virtual prototype for this build, I found a company in Australia that developing LED lighting rigs for LEGO models, Light My Bricks, and after communicating my interest in developing a rig for this kit, they have been excited about providing a workable set of lights for each of our students. This would allow the lights on the kit to simulate a real traffic light and would be powered by a USB cord with on/off switch.

This kit was designed by Todd Merrifield, specifically for this program.

Kit Pricing:

$100.00

$43.00 for the light rig & $57 for the LEGO parts

MARCH

Women's History Month - Amelia Earhart

I developed this kit while looking at the blueprint designs for the Lockheed Electra plane that Amelia Earhart flew at the time of her disappearance. I would also like to include a mini-figure of Amelia for the students.

This kit was designed by Todd Merrifield, specifically for this program.

Kit Pricing:

$81.19

APRIL

Earth Day -- Paper Shredder

I used the "grinding gears" theory on this kit and have developed a model (virtually) that I believe would be able to shred single strips of paper, allowing the students to see how the larger systems work. I have NOT built a practical prototype yet, but hope to include this kit in next year's program to showcase recycling.

This kit was designed by Todd Merrifield, specifically for this program.

Kit Pricing:

$58.37

MAY

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

I absolutely love the imagery and ancient customs of the peoples from Asia. Their use of color and form is mezmerizing and beautiful, and I feel that one of the most consistent form of artwork comes in the form of mythological and spiritual dragons from the Far East.

This particular dragon is modeled after the Japanese dragons celebrated in Japan, but China, Viet Nam, Thailand, and Korea all have their own variants of the long serpentine creatures. The colors used emulate the vibrant tones of the silks that were traditionally used to showcase their artwork and offer bright glimpses into their cultures.

This kit was designed by Todd Merrifield, specifically for this program.

Kit Pricing:

$64.07

Alternate Options for the 2021-2022 School Year

Another architectural project (similar to the Grant Public Library) from Newaygo County or surrounding area that would excite and generate interest in local buildings/businesses.

Music Appreciation

I've wanted to incorporate music into the LEGO arena for a while, and these two ideas have been at the forefront. Because I am a percussionis, and my children have both followed suit, I thought that the drum set kit would be a natural. Surprisingly, it was harder to design than I had originally thought. I am continuing to think about how to make the hi-hat cymbal and bass drum foot pedals actually work.

This kit was designed by Todd Merrifield, specifically for this program.

Swimming Shark -- Possible Earth Day Alternative

This kit was released by the LEGO group a couple of years ago in a static format. I found that Jason Allemann had designed mechanics to all the shark to actually "swim". The movement of the shark (when the mechanism crank is turned) is amazingly natural and really quite beautiful. I plan on adding a bit of additional "ground and seaweed" to cover the mechanics, and will add additional images once I get the kit digitally built and rendered.

This kit was designed by The LEGO Group, mechanized by Jason Allemann, and fine-tuned specifically by Todd Merrifield for this program.

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Warning: The Happyakrz After School Builders program is intended for older children (4th through 8th grades) and includes small parts
that are small enough to choke a small child. Please be aware and store these parts away from small children.

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Happyakrz After School Builders™ & Happyakrz™ are trademarks of Oikodómos, LLC.
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Oikodómos, LLC. and Happyakrz After School Builders are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by The LEGO Group.