Purdue to offer AI and STEM professional development for Indiana educators with LEGO® Education Computer Science & AI kits

May 1, 2026 - 03:49

Purdue University is launching a new professional development program that will help Indiana educators bring artificial intelligence and computer science into their classrooms using LEGO Education kits. The initiative aims to equip teachers with hands-on tools to spark student interest in STEM fields.

The workshop series will focus on integrating LEGO Education's computer science and AI kits into existing lesson plans. Teachers will learn how to use the colorful building blocks and coding components to teach concepts like machine learning, algorithms, and data analysis in a way that feels more like play than work. Purdue's College of Education is leading the effort, with sessions designed for both elementary and secondary school instructors.

Organizers say the goal is not just to teach technical skills but to build confidence among educators who may feel intimidated by AI or coding. By showing teachers how to guide students through challenges like programming a robot or training a simple model, the program hopes to make advanced topics accessible to all grade levels.

The workshops will be held at Purdue's West Lafayette campus and at regional sites across Indiana. Participants will receive a set of LEGO Education materials to use in their classrooms. The program is funded through a partnership with the Indiana Department of Education and is part of a broader push to prepare students for careers in technology.

Purdue officials emphasized that the training is about more than just gadgets. It is about changing how students think about problem-solving and creativity. With AI becoming a bigger part of everyday life, the university sees this as a critical step in building a future workforce that can innovate and adapt.