NEF 2018 Block Kids National Winners

1st place winner from NAWICs South Central Region, sponsored by Oklahoma City’s Chapter 383
Isaac Dei, 5th grader from Oklahoma City. He constructed a pulley that “smashes” rock and uses a conveyor to collect crushed rock. Dei notes that it could be used by miners and construction workers and hopes to be a mechanical engineer when he grows up.

2nd place winner from NAWICs North Central Region, sponsored by Cincinnati’s Chapter 6
Ronan Joyce, is a 4th grader from Burlington, KY. His project was a working drawbridge to “get across the river.” Joyce wants to be a professional soccer player when he grows up and then move into design when he’s done playing soccer.

3rd place winner from NAWICs Northeast Region, sponsored by Capital Districts Chapter 0261
Jalen Bernard, 1st grader from Watervliet, NY. Bernard constructed a watchtower and noted “I thought it was important to warn pilots of the low bridge ahead.” He doesn’t know yet what he wants to do when he grows up but likes the idea to work construction at night “with the cool lights.”

The award-winning program is open to grades K-6 and introduces children to the construction industry in an effort to create awareness and promote careers in the industry.