UPDATE 11/6/14: This set has been sold out since this summer. You can find pieces of it for sale, and even the whole set for an exorbitant price. Lego states on its site that they are looking into producing more.
I am really pumped about the new Lego set to be released this August, 2014! It was just announced that it will be called, “Research Institute” and will feature three female scientists: an astronomer, a paleontologist, and a chemist. I must admit that I never really looked at Legos as anything but silly toys for boys until I was called on to co-sponsor a robotics club last year. Now I have seen the creativity that they can unleash, and I am really excited to see that the company is going to create a set that will not only encourage girls to see this as a more gender-neutral toy, but will also encourage them to consider S.T.E.M. careers. Congratulations to Dr. Ellen Kooijman (a geochemist) who submitted this concept on the Lego Ideas site and now gets to see her dream turned into reality!
Are you interested in all things Lego? You might want to check out my post, “Build Something Awesome.” Or, if you are interested in other educational games and toys, take a look at my Pinterest Board of recommendations.
Awesome to see! I saw it from you first. Also awesome is how companies like Lego have enabled this outside-in innovation to create new products. Win-win for everyone!!
I think Lego’s process for crowdsourcing these ideas is great. It’s interesting to look at some of the other concepts that were finalists!