Purdue, LEGO Education offer AI workshop for Indiana middle school teachers
Purdue University and LEGO Education are hosting a one-day professional development workshop on July 23 for Indiana STEM educators teaching grades 6-8. The session, titled "Brick by Brick: Bringing AI to the Classroom," will cover practical applications of artificial intelligence, coding, and robotics through lessons designed for immediate classroom use.
The workshop takes place at Purdue's West Lafayette campus. Participation is limited to 60 educators, and registration is required at go.purdue.edu/LEGO-event.
Each attending educator receives LEGO Education Computer Science & AI kits to take back to their classrooms. The materials are designed to bridge the gap between what teachers learn in the workshop and what they can teach immediately.
What the workshop covers
Faculty from Purdue's College of Science and LEGO Education facilitators will lead sessions on artificial intelligence, coding, and robotics. The lessons are structured to help students move beyond consuming technology to creating with it.
Lucy Flesch, dean of Purdue's College of Science, said that early engagement with computer science and AI helps students see themselves as problem-solvers. "By connecting these concepts to curiosity and real-world impact, we teach critical thinking, which can open doors to possibilities that young learners may not have imagined for themselves," she said.
Broader context
The workshop aligns with AI for Education efforts and supports Purdue's AI Learning Path for Teachers. Purdue recently introduced an "AI working competency" graduation requirement for undergraduate students and launched the Purdue Computes initiative, which spans research and programs in physical AI, computing, semiconductors, and quantum science.
Alexander Mitchell, vice president of LEGO Education US, said hands-on learning is essential for developing problem-solving and collaboration skills. "By empowering educators with the right tools, initiatives like this not only bring hands-on experiences to more classrooms, but also introduce Computer Science and AI concepts in a way that is accessible and engaging for students," he said.
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