A few principles stand out in both teaching and building: purpose, planning, communication and perseverance. These shared ideals helped forge a partnership between Mellon Middle School teachers Matt Mikesell and Deanna Amenta, whose collaboration is poised to extend beyond the classroom this summer.
After four years of working together to teach hands-on classes, their shared commitment to experiential learning inspired them to create a new LEGO-based brick-building academy. Launching this summer with a series of camps, Brickworks Academy will combine Mikesell’s and Amenta’s educational strengths to nurture students’ social and emotional growth through play-centered learning.
Mikesell, who has served the district in several roles over the past 22 years — including teacher, assistant principal and coach — embarked on a new challenge in 2022 when he began teaching engineering classes. Technology and Engineering (Tech Ed) brought fresh opportunities and prompted him to partner with fellow teacher Amenta.
“When you bring two seasoned teachers together, it sparks more creativity,” Amenta said. “Not only are our skill sets coming together, but it becomes more than that. Ideas that we have thought of but wouldn’t have done alone can come to life.”
Their classroom projects allowed them to combine their expertise and create richer learning experiences. While Mikesell’s classes teach a hands-on approach to engineering, Amenta’s Business and Information Technology (BIT) classes focus on building and creating through coding.
“It elevates us when we collaborate on projects,” Mikesell said. “Not only do the kids benefit, but the two of us benefit professionally as well.”
As a former child development specialist, Amenta recognized changes in students following the pandemic. She observed that social and collaborative skills had diminished, following directions had become more challenging, and meaningful conversations among peers were less common.
“Kids have become submerged in screens both in and out of school, and it has stifled their creativity, problem-solving, critical-thinking and communication skills,” Amenta said. “They just don’t play like they used to.”
With more than 50 years of combined teaching experience in the Mt. Lebanon School District, Mikesell and Amenta wanted to address the changes they were seeing in the classroom.
“We wanted to get kids off screens — to start thinking, problem-solving, talking and working together again,” Amenta said.
Noelle Conover and Matt’s Maker Space at Mellon School operate a program that supplements student learning through practical arts experiences. Through that connection, Mellon attracted the attention of Carnegie Mellon University and John Balash, director of academic outreach, extension and engagement for the Entertainment Technology Center.
Balash said Carnegie Mellon was exploring community-based programs in K-12 educational settings that promoted social-emotional well-being and communication skills.
“After the pandemic, we wanted to make sure that we were providing high-quality experiences that would not rely heavily on internet use or devices,” Balash said. “So we partnered with a group called Play Included, based in Cambridge, England, to bring its brick clubs to the United States.”
Recognizing the program’s potential to address classroom challenges, Mikesell and Amenta completed Play Included training. They soon became one of the first schools in the region to launch a brick club.
“One of the first brick clubs that was launched was with Matt and Deanna at Mellon, and they have been running their club ever since,” Balash said.
Through its Brick-by-Brick initiative, Carnegie Mellon’s Project Baseplate has trained more than 300 facilitators and expanded into educational settings throughout the Pittsburgh region and beyond.
The success of Mellon’s brick club inspired Mikesell and Amenta to bring the concept and its benefits to the broader community.
“Our academy will facilitate and foster collaboration and problem-solving,” Mikesell said. “When something arises — which it will — we work through it with students to teach conflict resolution.”
Amenta noted that, as educators, she and Mikesell understand how to identify children’s strengths and weaknesses and help them grow.
Equipped with specialized training and decades of classroom experience, their Brickworks Academy camps will foster creativity, leadership and confidence through organized, meaningful play.
“The academy is not about putting a box of LEGO bricks on the table and letting kids create. It’s educational and structured,” Mikesell said. “It’s an experience that will elevate their learning and understanding. It will help build a set of life skills they can transfer to all areas of life.”
Brickworks Academy summer camps will be offered throughout June and July. Information is available through the academy’s Facebook page and registration materials.
