LEGO Education launched new online courses on Monday in artificial intelligence (AI) and computer science for K-8 students to turn LEGO blocks into science and technology learning.
Andrew Sliwinski, vice president of the LEGO Group, wrote in a LinkedIn post that the offerings are “the culmination of years of hard work from our teams to transform these subjects into something engaging, collaborative, creative, and – of course – hands-on.”
The curriculum designed by LEGO is broken down into grades K-2, 3-5, and 6-8 and aims to deliver “impactful and relevant computer science and AI instruction” through “hands-on, scaffolded lessons [that] engage students in experiences connected to their world,” according to LEGO Education’s website.
Kits include LEGO bricks and hardware to support student learning, while other materials, such as classroom presentations and lessons, are accessible online.
Sliwinski said that the courses include over 100 science lessons that are 45 minutes long, and incorporate hardware, software, and LEGO bricks.
According to the LEGO Education website, the courses are meant to support students and teachers at different experience levels and will enable students to build, code, and create their own AI interactions while maintaining safety.
Students also do not need login credentials to access lessons, and everything is saved locally, according to LEGO.
“The world is currently obsessed with what computers are capable of, but we believe we’ve lost track of what children are capable of,” Sliwinski wrote in a separate post. “AI literacy isn’t just about teaching children how to use the ‘magic box’ of AI tools. It should also be about handing them a screwdriver to take the box apart.”
“That is what this product aims to deliver: a tool for children to actively build knowledge, together,” he added.
Victor Saeijs, president of LEGO Education, added in a LinkedIn post that by demystifying AI for students, the curriculum seeks to turn children into “the creators, thinkers, and ethical leaders of the digital future.”
LEGO Education’s latest announcement builds on commitments from other companies that are turning to K-12 AI education to bolster technology literacy and familiarity.