Rocky Mount, N.C. (Mar. 13, 2025) – Future engineers, designers and problem-solvers from Edgecombe County Public Schools (ECPS) and Nash County Public Schools (NCPS) will showcase their creativity and teamwork during the Twin-Counties Brick City Engineering Challenge at 9:30 a.m. Friday at the Rocky Mount Event Center. This hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) competition will bring together elementary students from across the region, emphasizing collaboration, innovation and critical thinking.
The Strategic Twin-Counties Education Partnership (STEP) and Pfizer are hosting the event, uniting teams from Edgecombe County Public Schools, Nash County Public Schools and North East Carolina Prep for a LEGO design challenge that fosters problem-solving, coding and creativity. Pfizer, a key supporter, has provided financial support and volunteers for the past five years, positively impacting hundreds of students through STEM education.
This year’s competition is inspired by four environmentally themed books. Since October, third through fifth grade students have been working with their school coaches to prepare for the challenge. During the event, they will race against time to design and construct structures using LEGO bricks, program LEGO Spike robots for specific tasks and apply STEM principles in an interactive setting.
“Their dedication and creativity will be on full display during the event’s diverse challenges,” said Marcy Keener, K-12 STEM coordinator. “With enthusiasm, students are entering the academic arena ready to take on the tasks ahead. They look forward to working with their teams, showcasing innovative thinking, and demonstrating teamwork and problem-solving skills in a fun and interactive setting.”
“Our student teams have been eagerly preparing for this event, diving into the books and refining their programming skills,” said Joseph Hayes, director of technology for Edgecombe County Public Schools. “Their dedication and creativity will shine as they bring stories to life through LEGO builds inspired by their reading. This experience allows them to blend literacy, problem-solving, and hands-on design in a fun and engaging way.”
The Twin-Counties Brick City Engineering Challenge highlights the growing emphasis on STEM education in local schools, giving students a platform to showcase their ingenuity and critical thinking skills.
STEP Executive Director Pamela Gould said, “We are incredibly grateful to Pfizer for its continued support of our STEM Design Challenge. Its commitment to STEM education has made a lasting impact on our students, providing them with invaluable opportunities to explore and innovate. We look forward to the excitement and creativity the students will bring to this year’s competition.”
The event is part of a broader initiative to strengthen STEM learning opportunities for students across the Twin Counties, empowering them with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a technology-driven future.
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Media Contacts:
Susan Hoke, Communications & Community Relations Coordinator, ECPS shoke@ecps.us
Heather Louise Finch, Executive Director of Communication/Public Information Officer, NCPS hlfinch@ncpschools.net