ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú

In an era where leaders are seeking innovative ways to engage students and enhance collaboration, ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s Division of Student Life is employing a surprising tool to help—LEGO® bricks.

Through LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®, students are learning to solve problems, build stronger teams, and define their purpose and goals, all while engaging in a hands-on activity that taps into their creativity.

JS Bragg, assistant director for student organizations and a certified LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® trainer, has been leading these unique sessions on campus for student organizations, residence hall communities, and employees.

“The whole general concept is you’re posed with a question, you build your answer to that question with the bricks, and then everyone shares their answer,” Bragg explained. “Everyone builds, everyone shares, and everyone is on equal footing.”

Through this process, students not only explore their own ideas but also engage with their peers in meaningful dialogue. The hands-on nature of the activity makes abstract ideas tangible. “It helps you tap into ideas and thoughts you may not have even known you have,” said Bragg. “It gets you thinking creatively and looking at things in a new way.”

Transforming Struggling Organizations

One of the most impactful sessions Bragg led was with a student organization that had struggled to find its identity after the pandemic. "Since COVID, they had lost their purpose," he said. “The members who had previously led their big events had graduated and the newer leaders hadn’t seen their flagship programs and events. They were really struggling.”

Bragg conducted an eight-hour training workshop with the group, guiding them through scenarios that helped them rediscover their core values and mission. By the end of the training, the organization had identified key principles that define who they are and why they exist, including getting people excited and involved in the culture and activities, representing a wide range of student interests, learning from past mistakes to ensure the future of the group, and creating friendship and connections.

The workshop was a meaningful experience that shaped the group’s future direction. At the organization’s annual Geek Con in spring 2024, the president gave a state of the league address that focused entirely on the four core concepts and how the group engaged with those concepts over the year.

A Tool for Any Group

LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® isn’t just for student organizations. Bragg has facilitated sessions with ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s SEAL Ambassadors and has been asked to host a residence hall program in November. Since becoming certified in November 2023, he’s trained more than 100 participants. The method is adaptable for different lengths of time and can be tailored to suit the needs of various groups.

“The reaction has been fantastic,” Bragg said. “It’s an excellent way to spend time diving into your organization’s ‘why’ and figuring out what will make you a better organization.”

LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY fosters open communication and encourages participants to explore creative solutions to complex problems. “It gets people to open up and participate,” said Bragg. “You’ll get so much more out of something if you’re actively engaged than if you’re passively listening.”

For any group looking to clarify its purpose, strengthen teamwork, or solve an issue, LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® is a tool that can help. ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú faculty, staff, or students who are interested in hosting a session for their organization can contact Bragg at braggjs@ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúOH.edu. 

Celebrating Creativity and Disability Culture with LEGO®

LEGO® has also been a powerful tool in engaging ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s neurodiverse students. On October 2, the Miller Center for Student Disability Services held its first-ever LEGO® building competition, designed to encourage students to participate in disability culture in a way that felt inclusive and accessible.

Annastashi Blesi, assistant director in the Miller Center, explained that the inspiration for the event came from LEGO® increasing representation of disability in their collections, including a pride set that sparked the idea.

“We were thinking about how to encourage our neurodiverse students to engage in disability culture,” said Blesi. “LEGO® is such a cherished childhood tradition, and we thought it could speak to all college students.”

The competition, themed “build your happy place,” invited students to create LEGO® models without instructions, allowing their imaginations to guide them.

“Some students went for fantasy builds,” Blesi shared, noting the diversity in the entries. The winning model depicted a four-season nature scene, complete with a waterfall. Another student recreated a favorite album cover from childhood.

Builds were evaluated by a panel of three judges, including Blesi, Bragg, and faculty member Rod Northcutt. Each team had the opportunity to explain the story behind their creations. Judging criteria included creativity and innovation, adherence to theme, technical execution, aesthetic appeal, and how well the build connected to the students’ story.

With 10 teams and 40-50 attendees, the event was a success. The Miller Center hopes to make it an annual tradition. “It was a fun activity that didn’t feel so intimidating,” Blesi said, “and a great way to engage students in the disabled community.”

A Building Block for Connection

Whether through LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY or creative competitions, ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú is using LEGO® to foster connection, collaboration, and self-expression. These experiences are helping students engage with their peers and communities in ways that go beyond traditional leadership or team-building activities.