Purdue University and LEGO Education have partnered to address a critical gap in teacher preparation: hands-on training in artificial intelligence, coding, and robotics for middle school educators. The collaboration brought Indiana STEM teachers to Purdue's West Lafayette campus on July 23, 2026, for a workshop called "Brick by Brick: Bringing AI to the Classroom," designed to equip educators with classroom-ready activities rather than abstract concepts.

What Does This Partnership Actually Teach Teachers?

The "Brick by Brick" program focused on practical lessons that teachers could implement immediately upon returning to their classrooms. Rather than overwhelming educators with theoretical AI frameworks, the workshop combined artificial intelligence instruction with hands-on coding and robotics activities specifically designed for grades 6 through 8.

Beyond the in-person workshop, Purdue extended the program's reach through a series of expert videos available on the program website. These videos explore how AI and robotics connect to K-12 education, research opportunities, and future career pathways. The video content includes:

• AI Competency in Education: Andres Bejarano, Assistant Teaching Professor of Computer Science at Purdue, discusses why AI competency matters in classrooms and how it prepares students for future readiness.
• Pathways Into Robotics: Zachary Kingston, Assistant Professor at Purdue, reflects on how early robotics exposure influences student trajectories and his own research into how robots plan and make autonomous decisions.
• AI, Robotics and Research: Rohan Paleja, Assistant Professor at Purdue, connects AI and robotics technologies to real-world applications, human-robot collaboration, and their relevance to K-12 education and future employment.

"When educators engage students in computer science and AI early, they help students see themselves as problem-solvers and creators," said Lucy Flesch, Frederick L. Hovde Dean of Purdue's College of Science.

Lucy Flesch, Frederick L. Hovde Dean of Purdue's College of Science

Why Is Teacher Professional Development So Critical Right Now?

The partnership between Purdue and LEGO Education reflects a broader recognition that teacher preparation is foundational to effective AI integration in schools. Research from the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) emphasizes that even the most sophisticated educational technology fails without robust implementation models and powerful professional development for teachers.

Teachers serve as the essential link between technology and learning outcomes. Without proper training and support, technology becomes a distraction rather than an amplifier of educator expertise. The ACER research underscores that "robust implementation models cannot be underestimated," because brilliant products falter without strategic execution that includes meaningful professional development.

The Purdue-LEGO partnership draws on expertise from multiple areas of computer science and education. Jessica Brewer, K-12 Outreach Administrator for Computer Science at Purdue, leads statewide efforts to expand computer science education. Leanna Prater, Senior Professional Learning Services Manager for LEGO Education in the US, brings specialized knowledge in designing professional learning that supports educators using hands-on, experiential learning.

How Can Schools Build Effective AI and Robotics Programs?

Creating sustainable AI and robotics education requires more than purchasing equipment or hosting a single workshop. Schools and universities must work together to establish comprehensive support systems for teachers. Here are the key elements that research and this partnership demonstrate are essential:

• Hands-On Workshop Training: In-person professional development sessions where teachers experience AI, coding, and robotics activities firsthand, allowing them to practice lessons before delivering them to students.
• Supplementary Online Resources: Video content and expert materials that extend learning beyond the workshop, providing teachers with ongoing reference materials and deeper explanations from university researchers.
• University-Industry Collaboration: Partnerships that combine academic expertise with industry experience, ensuring that teacher training reflects both cutting-edge research and practical classroom application.
• Curriculum Integration Support: Professional development that helps teachers understand how to weave AI and robotics into existing curriculum standards rather than treating them as isolated add-ons.
• Continuous Access to Experts: Connections to university faculty and researchers who can answer questions, provide guidance, and help teachers stay current as AI and robotics technologies evolve.

Nermeen Dashoush, Head of Educational Impact at LEGO Education, highlighted the significance of this collaborative approach. "This is such a great example of what is possible when universities and industry work together to support educators and expand their impact," she noted.

Nermeen Dashoush

What's the Bigger Picture for AI Education?

The Purdue-LEGO initiative arrives at a moment when schools face competing pressures around technology use. While some districts are restricting screen time due to concerns about student attention and cognition, the job market increasingly demands AI literacy and computational thinking skills. This tension underscores why teacher preparation is so critical; educators need training to help students develop genuine AI competency rather than passive screen consumption.

Effective personalized learning through AI requires more than technology. It demands precise understanding of what each student knows, thoughtful instructional design grounded in learning science, and powerful teacher implementation. The Purdue-LEGO partnership demonstrates that universities and industry partners can work together to provide the professional development teachers need to make AI and robotics meaningful in their classrooms.

For Indiana middle school teachers and their students, the "Brick by Brick" program represents a concrete step toward building AI literacy from the ground up, with educators equipped not just to understand these technologies, but to help young people see themselves as creators and problem-solvers in an AI-driven world.