- CLICK! Awards Encourage Inventors of Tomorrow -

World's Largest Light Bulb Constructed from LEGO(R) Bricks at National Museum of American History

WASHINGTON, July 31 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of National Inventors' Month, LEGO Systems Inc. today launches its LEGO(R) CLICK! Awards, an essay contest for children ages 6 to 13. In addition, the Smithsonian Institution's Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation and LEGO Systems Inc. invite families to a two-day collaborative build of the world's largest light bulb - the universal symbol of a big idea - made entirely of LEGO bricks on August 1 and 2 at the National Museum of American History.

The 8-foot-tall light bulb is being assembled by museum visitors with the help of LEGO Master Builders. Additionally, the museum's hands-on invention space, Spark!Lab, is hosting special interactive, construction play-themed activities for children where they are able to "patent" their creations. The Lemelson Center also collaborated with LEGO Systems to develop invention-themed mini-building activities to be held at 29 LEGO Stores in the United States this weekend. All of the programs reinforce the connection between play and invention explored in the museum's "Invention at Play" exhibition and celebrate the philosophy that anyone can have a big idea and then can bring it to life.

"Invention is the practical application of creativity, and is a core benefit of our play pattern that we are thrilled to encourage children to explore further," said Soren Torp Laursen, president, LEGO Systems. "As children have fun building with LEGO bricks, they also engage in a trial and error process that culminates in that moment when everything clicks and their idea becomes real. In so doing, they build the confidence they need to tackle and solve problems and share ideas - qualities they can take with them into adulthood to contribute innovative ideas and solutions at work, at play or in their communities."

Now in its third year (formerly called the LEGO Creativity Awards), the LEGO CLICK! Awards are designed to inspire and celebrate children's creativity, innovative thinking and inventive spirit. Five winning essays submitted by children between the ages of 6 and 13 will each be awarded a $5,000 savings bond. To submit for the award, children must answer: "If you could invent anything, what would it be? Describe how to use it. How did you get the idea? What excites you about it?" before November 2, 2009. Entries will be judged by a panel of experts from the Smithsonian Institution and LEGO Systems. More information, applications and complete rules are available at www.LEGOCLICKAwards.com.

LEGO Systems Inc. is the Americas division of the LEGO Group, a privately-held firm based in Billund, Denmark. The LEGO Group is committed to the development of children's creative and imaginative abilities through high-quality, creatively educational play materials, and its employees are guided by the motto adopted in the 1930s by founder Ole Kirk Christiansen: "Only the best is good enough." For more information, visit www.LEGO.com.

The Smithsonian's Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation is dedicated to exploring invention in history and encouraging inventive creativity in young people. The center is supported by The Lemelson Foundation, a private philanthropy established by one of the country's most prolific inventors, Jerome Lemelson, and his family. The Lemelson Center is located in the National Museum of American History. For more information, visit invention.smithsonian.org.

LEGO and the LEGO logo are trademarks of The LEGO Group. (C) 2009 The LEGO Group.

    MEDIA CONTACTS:
    LEGO Systems: Karen Lynch
    650.490.0608 / lynch@flashpointpr.com
    Smithsonian Institution: Kate Wiley
    202.633.3129 / wileyk@si.edu

SOURCE LEGO Systems, Inc.

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RELATED LINKS
http://www.lego.com
http://www.LEGOCLICKAwards.com
http://www.invention.smithsonian.org