Blockbuster 'Brickman'-built marvels almost here

A highly-anticipated exhibition featuring one of the world’s most recognisable and successful toy brands ever opens this Tuesday at the Discovery Science & Technology Centre, conveniently located for visitors on the adjacent side of the Bendigo Station carpark.

A collaboration between the centre and Bendigo Art Gallery, CURIOSITY: Building Breakthroughs in LEGO® Bricks explores the wonders of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through the creative possibilities of LEGO.

Designed and built by Bendigo-schooled LEGO artist Ryan ‘Brickman’ McNaught and his team, the exhibition brings together spectacular models, hands-on challenges and immersive learning experiences that encourage visitors to experiment, problem solve and imagine.

Remarkable replica: Exhibition mastermind Ryan ‘Brickman’ McNaught said while it’s hard to pick a favourite from what’s on offer, the Mars Rover is out of this world. Photo: SUPPLIED

Highlights include a 460,000 brick, 7.5-metre-tall replica NASA Space Launch System, Mars exploration models, seven minifigures built at different scales from 256 centimetres to two centimetres, a giant periodic table of elements and a Celebrating Women in Science display.

McNaught, who’s become famous domestically thanks to his appearances as a judge on television show LEGO MastersAustralia, said he hopes that people who visit CURIOSITY not only have fun, but learn something, go home and say, ‘Oh, I might have a crack at that myself.’

“I call it education by stealth, sneaking in STEM through play, whether that’s kids building bridges and testing them against an earthquake or simply problem-solving with bricks, they’re learning without even realising it,” he said.

The only LEGO® Certified Professional in the Southern Hemisphere said while it’s “pretty hard to pick a favourite” from what’s on offer, the Mars Rover is “out of this world in terms of detail and size”.

“It is the biggest model in the exhibition at 2.9 metres long,” he said.

“It’s an interesting thing to think about – seeing pictures from Mars, you think the rover is tiny, but it’s pretty much the size of a four wheel drive.

“It’s enormous.”

CURIOSITY: Building Breakthroughs in LEGO® Bricks runs from Tuesday 3 March to Sunday 29 November at the Discovery Science & Technology Centre, 7 Railway Place.

More information and bookings are available on the Bendigo Region website.