LEGO Ed Launches Free PD for Teachers

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 03/16/21

LEGO Education, the education arm of the toy company, has launched free professional development, to help teachers learn how to embed play and hands-on learning into their STEAM lessons. The company worked with the Tufts University Center for Engineering Education Outreach, which supports the integration of engineering into K-12 education, to develop the content. The two organizations have collaborated on a number of projects in the past, including workshops about LEGO engineering for educators.

The PD will consist of a self-guided, competency-based learning program designed on a framework covering four areas: pedagogy, STEAM concepts, 21st century skills and classroom management. Learning takes two directions: "learning bursts" for quick and focused skills practice; and "learning quests" for deeper competency development. There is no particular order teachers have to follow.

Contents include videos of actual classrooms and teacher interviews to show the various competencies in a variety of learning environments--in-person, physically distanced and virtual. Teachers should note that the competencies may not qualify for PD credits since LEGO Ed isn't an accredited institution.

One education who has used the PD is Jennifer Rodabaugh, a STEAM lab teacher at Picadome Elementary School in Lexington, KY. "I can brush up on teaching techniques or coding during my lunch break or even from the comfort of my couch," she said in a press release. "The engaging and relevant courses not only develop teaching skills but also build confidence using real-world classroom examples and best practices."

"We are excited to offer a new platform to support teachers' professional development and equip them with strategies and skills to make STEAM learning playful," added Esben Stærk, president of LEGO Education. "When teachers are truly confident in playful hands-on learning, they deliver more motivating, engaging and joyful learning experiences. Combine confident teachers and students and the classroom becomes a place of endless possibilities limited only by their imagination and creativity."

Learn more on the LEGO Education website.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • DreamBox Math

    Discovery Education Announces Updates to Experience, DreamBox Math

    K-12 learning solution provider Discovery Education has announced enhancements to its Discovery Education Experience and DreamBox Math products, designed to create a more personalized, engaging learning experience for students.

  • abstract pattern of cybersecurity, ai and cloud imagery

    Report Identifies Malicious Use of AI in Cloud-Based Cyber Threats

    A recent report from OpenAI identifies the misuse of artificial intelligence in cybercrime, social engineering, and influence operations, particularly those targeting or operating through cloud infrastructure. In "Disrupting Malicious Uses of AI: June 2025," the company outlines how threat actors are weaponizing large language models for malicious ends — and how OpenAI is pushing back.

  • digital dashboard featuring a shield icon, graphs, a world map, and network nodes

    IBM Launches Agentic AI Governance and Security Platform

    IBM has introduced a new software stack for enterprise IT teams tasked with managing the complex governance and security challenges posed by autonomous AI systems.

  • laptop and fish hook

    Security Researchers Identify Generative AI 'Vishing' Attack

    A new report from researchers at Ontinue's Cyber Defense Center has identified a complex, multi-stage cyber attack that leveraged social engineering, remote access tools, and signed binaries to infiltrate and persist within a target network.