MOC: Mechanical Engineering Student... I Still Build With LEGO

[CheshireCat150]

I know that many of the people on MLNO probably don't know me... it has been a while... so I am excited to see which of my friends are still around! I miss my LEGO community. Please let me know if you do remember me! 

So I used to be very active here on MLNO, mostly during the LEGO Universe phase and maybe about a year before that as well. Now I am a college student, studying mechanical engineering full time. LEGO is what started my interest in engineering, and I genuinely feel that I would not be majoring in mechanical engineering if it weren't for LEGO. Naturally, people still ask me if, despite being extremely busy with college, I still find time for LEGO. The answer is yes. In fact, LEGO is helping me cover some of my living expenses.

1) I teach basic engineering skills through LEGO part time. I have about 30 students every semester, ranging in age from 5 years old to 14 years old. My younger students learn how to use gears, pulleys, simple machines, etc. There is also a huge focus on working as a team and using LEGO as a way to communicate thoughts and ideas. My older students learn LEGO Robotics (programming and building) using LEGO Mindstorms and LEGO EV3. Additionally, I am the coach of a FIRST LEGO League team and two Jr. FIRST LEGO League teams (and a FIRST Robotics Competition team, although they don't use LEGO ).

2) I sell items on Etsy. I don't intend to be "advertising" my items here, simply showing how my LEGO journey has continued to grow. When I was young, I stared off with Duplo. Next came regular bricks, then LEGO Mindstorms. Many people assumed that joining a FIRST Robotics Competition team meant that I had "grown out of LEGO." However, this is when I became active on MLNO. Next, of course, came continuing to build with regular LEGO bricks, LEGO Mindstorms, and teaching LEGO robotics summer camps. Then I got an actual part time job teaching LEGO Robotics, and I developed the curriculum and teach the classes myself. My Etsy shop is simply another step of my journey. I love that I get to express myself through LEGO, while connecting people with childhood memories. That is my goal for my Etsy shop.

So, finally, I would like to present to you some of my most recent MOCs:






Here is a link to my Etsy shop. Thanks for reading my post. 
https://www.etsy.com/shop/MiniEngineering

[MsRowdyRedhead]

SO good to see you again!!
I think it is awesome what you are doing with your interest to further LLEGO, help others, and make a bit of a living. Keep that forever if you can. If you do, you will never dread going to work.

I love your creations.. fun in function!! Wonderful!

I am sure others will remember you as well.

[Blade]

That charm bracelet! =O Those keychains! =O Those look pretty awesome, CC... =O I hadn't actually ever considered that use, and wow. =O

[elliwhi1008751]

Woah :O Those are awesome! I didn't know you went into engineering