The Love of LEGOs
It's no secret that kids have a love of LEGO. As a young child, one often looks forward to shopping with Mom and Dad because it means a possible stop in the toy aisle. There may be some pleading, convincing or bargaining here and there, but whatever it takes, it’s all worth it. The minute you enter the toy section, your eyes grow big and bright. There’s so much to look at, but so little time. You walk slowly through the aisles as you absorb it all. Finally, you find it, that iconic “LEGO” logo. The aisle is filled with colorful creations, all the popular characters, cars, princess castles, ready and waiting for you to get your hands on. The beautifully vibrant colors, a deep royal blue like a peacock’s body, a brilliant fuchsia pink, fire truck red, a lime green that will be perfect for making a velociraptor or a turtle. The possibilities are endless.
Rob DuVall's Early Years
Rob DuVall, PE - Age 9
LEGOs start to release a child’s potential the moment they pick up their first brick and carry on well into adulthood for some. Schemmer’s Rob DuVall, PE, Associate and Civil Engineer, formed an interest in creating and building as a young child when he gravitated towards LEGOs and Lincoln Logs. The creativity, problem solving and engineering involved with Rob’s favorite toys were a telltale sign of where he was headed in the future. His love for math carried him through high school where he decided to pursue engineering over architecture.
LEGO and Engineering
According to a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) School of Engineering’s article, What do Legos have to do with engineering? In a word: everything…, Tiffany Tseng, a graduate researcher in the MIT Media Lab Lifelong Kindergarten group, states that math and physics concepts are built into every LEGO project.
“Kids can build whatever’s in their imagination and, at the same time, develop spatial reasoning and learn about structural integrity, design and a practical sense of geometry.”
“Every LEGO project is a pathway into engineering,” says Tseng. “You aren’t necessarily thinking about the pedagogical concepts, but you’re applying them while you play.”
Play Well
LEGO has come a long way since Rob’s childhood, but their ideal and the meaning behind their name has remained constant. According to LEGO, the name “LEGO” is an abbreviation of the two Danish words “LEg GOdt”, meaning “play well.” Above all, the name places emphasis firmly on developing child’s play and in Latin means, “I put together.”
LEGO STEM
LEGO states that they design and create LEGO STEM toys because they believe that curiosity, fun and creativity are major drivers in getting both kids and adults excited about science. Kids and adults alike can play and experiment their way from basic to advanced STEM skills. STEM is a window to understanding the building blocks of life, the universe and everything. It gives us tools to explore, question, navigate in and even invent the world we live in – skills that can and will be applied in every field of work and play.
The Building Blocks of Schemmer's Site/Civil Engineering Services
More than three decades later, Rob’s love of LEGOs and mathematics has translated into providing Site/Civil Engineering Services for small and large-scale private and public projects that include:
- Site Master Planning
- Site Selection
- Land Planning & Development
- Site Grading & Utility Design
- Sanitary Sewer Design
- Water System Design
- Stormwater Management Permitting & Design
- Post Construction Stormwater Management Plans
- Erosion Control Permitting & Design
- Sustainable Design (LEED)
- ADA Site Accessibility Analysis & Design
Together with Schemmer’s Site/Civil engineering team, he works seamlessly to meet the site development needs of our clients. Schemmer provides comprehensive expertise:
- from initial planning through construction
- partnering with owners
- review agencies
- project-specific stakeholders to create goal-oriented results
No matter what your project needs may be, Schemmer will provide creative design solutions and ensure all the pieces are in the proper place so that your vision can become a reality.
Design with Purpose. Build with Confidence.
Schemmer is a full-service architecture, engineering, and construction field services consultant, providing responsible solutions for complex design and construction-related challenges.
Founded in 1959, we are grounded in our past but remain fully committed to the future. Located in four states and seven offices throughout the Midwest, Schemmer is providing services to clients from coast-to-coast and border-to-border across the United States.
