One of the LEGO Ideas sets that is getting released on August 1st, is the #21110 LEGO Ideas Research Institute. We have talked about the set extensively before (see: LEGO Research Institute & Exo Suit Coming!), but now it is listed at the Online LEGO Shop with updated information and pictures. So let’s take a look! 🙂
Here is the official description of the #21110 LEGO Ideas Research Institute: Explore the world and beyond at the Research Institute! The Research Institute has everything that you need to explore the world below, around and above us! Created by real-life geoscientist, Ellen Kooijman (alias: Alatariel), and selected by LEGO Ideas members (formerly known as LEGO CUUSOO), this collection of scenes depicts three varied professions within the world of natural science. Help the paleontologist study the origin of dinosaurs with the magnifying glass, map the skies with the astronomer and her telescope, and assist the chemist as she carries out experiments in her lab. This set also includes building instructions, as well as a booklet containing information about the creator and an introduction to each of the professions featured in the set. There’s a whole world of exciting professions out there to explore – build and role play them to see if they suit you! Includes 3 minifigures: paleontologist, astronomer and a chemist.
I think the set looks nice. I wouldn’t call it super exciting, and I feel that it could have been improved in some areas, but it is a nice little set for $20. One thing I would have done is to tile all of the floors to give some uniformity to the three different scenes. Also, while I’m happy with the one newly printed minifig (the chemist), I’m disappointed that the other two were just given generic and already used torsos. However the T-rex is exceptional, the telescope is really sweet, and the little lab comes with some useful elements. Below is a full video-review of the set by JANGBRiCKS, so you can see all the details yourself.
Also, just to give you a bit of back-story, Ellen’s original submission was called the LEGO Female Minifigure Set with a bunch of interesting little vignettes with girls working hard at various jobs. These were later narrowed down to the above three. While the others will not be released as LEGO sets, you may want to use them for inspiration.
Although I’m not as excited about the #21110 LEGO Research Institute as the #21109 LEGO Ideas Exo Suit (which is released at the same time), I’m definitely getting one for the T-rex, the telescope, the lab equipment and the chemist minifig. The set is 165 pieces and the price is $19.99. Not the best price/piece ratio, but it does include a sturdy box and a beautiful booklet. If you are interested, you can see more pictures and buy the set, along with the other LEGO Ideas sets, at the Online LEGO Shop.
So what do you think? How do you like the LEGO Research Institute? Is this a set you are planning to get? Feel free to share and discuss in the comment section below! 😉
And you might also like to check out the following related posts:
I might get it but I am more likely to get the exo- suit
Exactly this. I think LEGO may have made a mistake releasing both this and the Exo-suit at the same time. For those supporting the LEGO Ideas line on a limited budget, you see these two sets side-by-side on the shelf and almost always the Exo-suit will get chosen. I think LEGO needed to give the Exo-suit its time and then give this set its spotlight rather then having them try to share.
I agree. The Exo Suit way overshadows the Research Institute. I think LEGO may have released it earlier than planned because of the recent outcry by feminists (again). If you look at the news, practically all news channels spin it like LEGO released the Research Institute directly as a response to feminists’ demand. 😕
I think Lego did a good job picking. Most of her other original ideas seemed a little to small, except for one with the tiger. I think they should have included that instead of the scientist, because these are all like indoor activities, and the tiger one would have made it a bit more adventurous.
Good points. And yes, the tiger would have been nice! 😀
hey admin don’t you think that they will make a lego tiger piece?
they already made some animal pieces.
Well, there is a very cute little tiger in the LEGO Friends set. I thin that one should work. 😉
I really like that tiger, and really want the instructions for it. i probably don’t have the pieces needed for it anyway though. i think that that is a very cool set overall because of the lots of good pieces and lots of minifigure interaction.
I don’t think that it matters that only one minifigure has a new printing. In my opinion, the minifigures are not the highlight of the set.
That may be, but the original idea was to create new female minifigs doing different jobs. Probably the best part of the set is the T-rex skeleton, but it should have been three new & exclusive minifigs. I’m not complaining, the set’s fine, but that was the original point. 😉
The original point was to have female minifigs being awesome. And I think that requires awesome new outfits too! Any girl with agree with me on that! 🙄
I like this, particularly for the newly-colored pieces. My disappointment was the telescope not containing holed-1×1 round plates, and the paleontologist minifig’s parts. The 3M sticks are a bonus, though!
Also, I have a question. After watching a build of the Technic Mobile Crane MkII 42009, I decided that I wanted to get it and try to make it remote-controlled. Do you think that’s a good idea? My brother says it’s not possible. 😕
That’s an ambitious set you are going for! It is a gorgeous model. I don’t see why you chouldn’t make it remote controlled. It already includes the Power Function package, so it should be an easy mod from there.
Yes, the Power Functions it comes with are good for making the 4 set functions remote controlled, but I am thinking of making the WHOLE vehicle RC. That means the steering and drive. I’ve decided what I’ll need, but it seems to be too expensive, even without the MKII itself. 😕
Yeah, those Power Function kits are not cheap, but if you can make it happen that would be one awesome vehicle!
It’d be nice if LEGO made her other designs LEGO sets aswell…
I’m curren traveling, and in an official LEGO store, I was rather delighted that I could nab both the Exo-suit and the Ecto-1! Pity this set’s not there yet though. I’m also rather worried that there was no curiosity rover. I checked shop.Lego.com- it appears that that set is sold out, which I find sort of weird since its predecessor the DeLorean is still there. Any info whether they’ll restock? Cause I was really hoping the shinkai would be my only hole in my cuusoo/Ideas collection…
Oh, nice that you were able to get the Exo Suit an the Ecto-1! My understanding is that the Curiosity sold out, although it is possible they might bring it back before Christmas. If you really want to know I can ask Kevin Hinkle on your behalf. Just let me know.
I’ll appreciate that, yeah. I’ll just remain wishful…
i’m very dissapointed in the chemist female figure
what did they do to her in comparison of the first design of the kit (with the green dino)
in that design she’s actually smiling and has a lab coat you immediately recognise
the one that came out looks like a grumpy witch and if she wasn’t put next to the lab I wouldn’t have recognised her as a chemist
🙁
Rosa, I would also have wishes that LEGO makes a real lab-coat like in the original design, however this would have required to make a brand-new LEGO element. One of the rules with LEGO Ideas is that new colors of existing elements can be request, but not brand-new moulds. This is due to the great expense of making a new part. But yes, I would have also liked to see a design like that. 🙂
Talk about interdisciplinary…