TOMPKINS COUNTY, N.Y. -- The Gladiators of Ithaca are one of 18 teams showing off their Lego model at this year's Lego Expo. Teams from Binghamton, Rochester and other cities also participated. This year's theme was "how energy travels."

"This year's challenge was to find some aspect, some item in a room that utilizes energy and then study it and research where does that thing get its energy from,” said Daniel Woodie, event coordinator.

Teams had to research how energy travels, then depict that using Lego models.

"They did have some little guides to help them build the fans- the wind turbines, but it was mostly their own work,” said Paul Anderson, Gladiators team coach.

Event coordinators say using Lego’s is a way to encourage learning.

"It's something they're already used to playing with and you can draw kids that aren't normally interested in math and science by saying, 'Well, you get to build with Legos,'” said Woodie.

Many of the teams do these projects on their own time and they say that to get something like this up and running it takes a group effort.

"It actually took a lot of teamwork to actually get it all done, it took us several weeks to build,” said Parker Hay, Cayuga Heights Elementary School student.

Along with learning about teamwork, the Expo is designed to get kids excited about problem-solving.

"Kids get very excited about their sports stars, this event is to show them that being inspired to go out and solve the world's problems can be just as much fun and just as exciting as those stars,” said Woodie.

A group of reviewers looks at each model. No prizes are given, but each team receives an award certificate.

Event coordinators are hoping to bring the first Lego Expo for middle school students to Ithaca next year.