By The Bricks: Arizona Boy Shows Plastic Love To The Grand Canyon State
The sprawling deserts of Arizona are hypnotic. Most people who find themselves passing through the state become so overwhelmed by the beauty that they try and capture it in any way possible.
Between songs, art, and films about Arizona, it seems that creatives can't stop thinking about the Grand Canyon State. One young Phoenix resident just put the country on notice, however, with his creative approach to capturing Arizona's beauty.
Tobais Camen: Master Builder
Eight year old Tobias is a creative kid. He's always shown natural curiosity and a drive to embrace his artistic side. He took his skills to the test when he entered a piece (technically a lot of pieces) into the North American Mini Master Model Builder Competition. This competition asked prospective builders to create dioramas showcasing their home state, and Tobias made sure to do Arizona proud.
The piece he submitted showcases all the things we love about our state. Focused on a mini-figure kayaking through the Colorado river, the diorama features our state's precious gemstones, wildlife, and flora. Tobias was rewarded with his creativity, and placed third out of thousands of entries. It's believed that he was the first Phoenix native to win the award.
Why is this Important?
Like any other kid, Tobias loves playing with Legos, but his, and many others', love comes from a deeper appreciation of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Master Builders at LEGOLAND describe the toy as 'secret math', teaching children critical thinking skills and other rudimentary lessons that can have a massive impact on educational development.
Tobias says that he wants to work as a model builder at LEGOLAND when he grows up, and he'll likely have his chance. For now, though, his efforts have won him and his family a first class trip to LEGOLAND Tempe so he can see what his future employers are up to.
[ABC15]
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