Purdue and LEGO Build AI Future for Indiana Students
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – May 14, 2026 – Purdue University, in a strategic collaboration with LEGO® Education, is set to equip Indiana's middle school educators with the tools to bring artificial intelligence and computer science into the classroom. The initiative, centered around a hands-on professional development workshop, aims to demystify complex technologies and inspire the next generation of innovators, solidifying the state's commitment to a future-ready workforce.
On July 23, sixty Indiana STEM educators for grades 6-8 will convene on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus for a one-day workshop titled “Brick by Brick: Bringing AI to the Classroom.” The program represents a significant step in translating high-level concepts of AI and robotics into engaging, accessible learning experiences for young students.
Demystifying AI, Brick by Brick
The core of the initiative lies in its hands-on pedagogical approach. Participants will utilize the new LEGO® Education Computer Science & AI kits, which began shipping to schools in April 2026. These kits are designed to make abstract concepts tangible by combining physical LEGO bricks with interactive hardware like motors and sensors, all managed through a digital platform called the LEGO Education Coding Canvas.
This approach is designed to transform students from passive consumers of technology into active creators. “As the daughter of two lifelong educators, I’ve seen firsthand the impact teachers have on shaping what students believe is possible,” said Kelly Hiller, Purdue University’s chief marketing officer. “Using the LEGO Education Computer Science & AI solution, we’re equipping educators with tools to bring AI and STEM to life in the classroom.”
The curriculum is structured around inquiry-based lessons that encourage collaboration, with each kit designed for small groups of students to solve problems together. Critically, the platform addresses modern concerns over data privacy in education. All AI experiments, including training basic machine learning models, are conducted locally on classroom devices. No student data is transmitted to the cloud, and logins are not required, ensuring a secure learning environment.
“At LEGO Education, we believe hands-on learning is essential for sparking engagement and developing skills like problem-solving and collaboration,” noted Alexander Mitchell, vice president, US, for LEGO Education. By providing teachers not only with training but also with the physical kits to take back to their schools, the program ensures that the day's learning can be immediately implemented, creating a tangible link between theory and practice.
Building Indiana's Future-Ready Workforce
This workshop is more than an academic exercise; it's a strategic investment in Indiana’s economic future. By introducing AI and computer science concepts at the middle school level, Purdue and its partners are helping to build a robust talent pipeline for the state's burgeoning technology sector. The initiative directly addresses the need to cultivate foundational digital literacy long before students enter college or the workforce.
“When educators engage students in computer science and AI early, they help students see themselves as problem-solvers and creators,” said Lucy Flesch, the Frederick L. Hovde Dean of the College of Science. “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.”
The program's focus on grades 6-8 is deliberate. This is a critical age where students begin to form long-term interests and make decisions about their future academic paths. By presenting AI in an engaging and non-intimidating format, the initiative aims to broaden participation in STEM fields, particularly among underrepresented groups, and foster the skills necessary for an AI-driven economy.
A Pillar of Purdue's Broader AI Strategy
The “Brick by Brick” workshop is a key component of Purdue University’s comprehensive and ambitious strategy to establish itself as a national leader in the AI era. The program serves as a direct extension of the university's land-grant mission, translating its high-level research and academic prowess into tangible community benefits that reach across the state.
This initiative aligns perfectly with the university's overarching AI@Purdue and Purdue Computes initiatives, which encompass a wide range of programs in physical AI, semiconductors, and quantum science. It also complements Purdue’s groundbreaking decision to institute a first-of-its-kind “AI working competency” as a graduation requirement for all undergraduate students. By fostering AI literacy in K-12 education, Purdue is helping to create a seamless educational pathway from middle school to university graduation, ensuring students are prepared at every stage.
This effort is part of a broader portfolio of outreach led by the Purdue Brand Studio, which has sought to connect STEM education with new audiences through innovative partnerships. These include collaborations with Hello Sunshine, e.l.f. Cosmetics, and USA Swimming, demonstrating a multifaceted approach to embedding the importance of science and technology in the public consciousness.
Workshop Details and Statewide Impact
The “Brick by Brick: Bringing AI to the Classroom” workshop is open to all Indiana STEM educators serving grades 6-8. With participation limited to 60 attendees to ensure an intensive, high-quality experience, registration is required and can be completed at go.purdue.edu/LEGO-event. The program, led by faculty from Purdue’s College of Science and expert facilitators from LEGO Education, promises a day of immersive learning in robotics, coding, and the practical applications of artificial intelligence. Each educator will leave not just with new knowledge, but with LEGO Education materials for their own classrooms, empowering them to multiply the impact of the workshop for hundreds of students across Indiana.