From Arcades to Education: Brent Bushnell of Two Bit Circus on a STEAM-Powered Learning Revolution
Mar 31, 2025
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Brent Bushnell, an innovative entrepreneur and engineer, is the founder of Two Bit Circus and chairman of the Two Bit Foundation, which promotes learning through play. He discusses his journey from arcade builder to education innovator and the impact of the STEAM Carnival in reshaping STEM education by incorporating art. Brent highlights how DIY arcade projects empower students in various skills like CAD and electronics, and he explores the potential of immersive technologies like virtual reality to transform learning experiences.
Brent Bushnell's transition from arcade builder to education innovator highlights the transformative potential of engaging experiences in learning environments.
The STEAM movement emphasizes the integration of arts with STEM education, fostering creativity and critical thinking in students through hands-on projects.
Innovative initiatives like the Two Bit Foundation’s clean waste model exemplify sustainable approaches to resource procurement for educational makerspaces.
Deep dives
The Impact of the Maker Movement
The maker movement has revolutionized the way people, especially children, engage with technology and creativity. With the rise of accessible tools and platforms, individuals can create everything from self-driving cars to intricate robots using affordable and user-friendly technology. This democratization of creation has made it possible for anyone to tap into their creative potential and bring their ideas to life, fostering a sense of empowerment and innovation. The maker movement emphasizes hands-on learning, encouraging participants to experiment, iterate, and collaborate, which can lead to a deeper understanding of complex concepts.
The Role of STEAM in Education
The integration of arts into STEM education, known as STEAM, emphasizes the importance of creativity in the learning process. By blending science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, students engage with subjects in a more holistic way, sparking interest and enjoyment in learning. Programs that focus on STEAM provide students with the opportunity to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills while also fostering creativity. The success of STEAM initiatives can be seen in events like the STEAM Carnival, where participants not only learn about advanced concepts but also create projects that reflect their artistic expression.
Innovative Approaches to Funding
Nonprofit organizations in the education space face significant challenges in securing funding while meeting diverse stakeholder needs. A sustainable model has emerged in which organizations like the 2-Bit Foundation collect clean waste from industries, transforming it into valuable resources for educational projects. This not only addresses environmental issues related to waste management but also enables schools and communities to access supplies for makerspaces and hands-on projects. By creating self-sustaining operations that rely on fee-for-service models, these organizations can enhance their impact without constantly depending on grants.
The Evolution of Learning Through Play
Engaging students in learning through playful experiences, such as escape rooms, demonstrates the effectiveness of immersive and interactive education. By creating environments where learners must use critical thinking to solve challenges, educators can promote collaboration and hands-on engagement. These experiences allow participants to learn valuable skills in a fun context, making education feel relevant and exciting. The combination of gamification and experiential learning builds enthusiasm for educational activities, as students enjoy the process of tackling real-world problems in a simulated environment.
Future Potential of Technology in Education
The advancement of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies represents a significant opportunity to reshape educational experiences. As these tools become more affordable and accessible, their integration into classrooms can provide immersive learning opportunities that transcend traditional teaching methods. Educators envision the use of these technologies in various contexts, from virtual field trips to skills training simulations, allowing students to engage with complex subjects interactively. With a focus on collaboration between educators and developers, the future promises innovative ways to combine entertainment and learning, fostering curiosity and creativity in learners.
Brent Bushnell is an entrepreneur and engineer focused on experiences for entertainment and learning. He's the founder of Two Bit Circus, a live entertainment company that builds and exhibits all-ages, social attractions. He’s chairman of the non-profit Two Bit Foundation which uses games and play to inspire students about invention. Brent is a Sir Edmund Hillary Fellow, a supporter of Clowns Without Borders and publishes on social media @brentbushnell.
💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:
How Brent’s journey from arcade builder to education innovator unfolded.
The origin and impact of the STEAM Carnival and how it helped reframe STEM learning through art and play.
Why clean waste is a powerful, untapped resource for hands-on learning in schools.
How DIY arcade cabinets are empowering students to learn CAD, electronics, business—and earn income.
The exciting future of immersive learning with escape rooms, virtual reality, and AI-guided experiences.
✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:03:33] How a viral OK Go music video accidentally sparked an education movement [00:04:49] “STEAM not STEM”: Why art is essential to innovation [00:08:45] Inside the Two Bit Foundation’s clean waste model and its success in LAUSD [00:13:10] The Open Source Arcade Project: A full-spectrum STEAM learning experience [00:21:26] The evolution of the maker and open-source movements [00:27:58] How AI can bridge the gap for students lacking tech or coding skills [00:34:25] New venue in Santa Monica: Turning entertainment spaces into learning spaces
This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.
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