Robert “CJ” Mannon, a freshman at Burlington County Institute of Technology, created the LEGO mobile carts for students at New Albany Elementary School. The carts were part of his Eagle Scout project as a member of Scout Troop 26 in Medford.
Robert “CJ” Mannon may be a freshman in high school, but the lasting impact of speech therapy with Catherine Jenkins at New Albany Elementary School is evident.
In March, he returned to his roots, delivering two custom-made LEGO mobile carts for speech therapy students as part of his Eagle Scout project with Troop 26 in Medford.
The carts include about 16 kits across four different activities, based on what would be most beneficial for the therapist and students, Mannon and school officials explained. The carts allow therapists to incorporate interactive building tasks into sessions that target articulation, vocabulary development, social communication and instruction.
Mannon – who attends Burlington County Institute of Technology – was recognized on March 17 at a board of education meeting, and on March 20, he delivered the two carts to Jenkins.
“When I attended New Albany Elementary School a few years ago, I received speech therapy from Ms. Jenkins,” Mannon recalled to the board. “She helped me greatly with my articulation. I’m very thankful for her time and support that she gave me those years ago.
“She gave me a lasting impact on my confidence and communication skills.”
When it came time to decide on an Eagle Scout project that would help him give back to his community, Mannon immediately thought about Jenkins.
“The two things that ultimately helped me a lot when I was younger were speech therapy and building with LEGOs,” he explained, adding he thought of how to combine the two and came up with two LEGO mobile carts.
Mannon consulted with Jenkins on the design of the carts, which are stocked with organized LEGO-themed activities and therapy materials to support hands-on speech and language learning. He also was encouraged by his Scoutmasters and he thanked the township school district for speech therapy that helped kids like himself.
“I hope this project is a helpful tool for the speech pathology teachers at New Albany,” he pointed out.
Mannon led the month-long project from start to finish, coordinating volunteers, raising funds, purchasing materials and overseeing construction. Each cart was built for durability and easily mobility so it can travel between classrooms and therapy spaces.
The two completed carts will provide engaging, play-based learning tools for students for years to come.
Mannon’s carts are stocked with organized LEGO-themed activities and therapy materials to support hands-on speech and language learning.
