The Power of Hands-On Learning with LEGO Education's Dr. Jenny Nash

Join us for a special episode of Trending in Education recorded live from the LEGO Education Curiosity Park at SXSW EDU.  

We’re diving deep into the world of playful learning and the rollout of LEGO Education Science with Dr. Jenny Nash, Head of Impact Education at LEGO. In this fun and insightful conversation, we explore the latest from LEGO Education with a special appearance from host Mike Palmer's six-year-old son, Matthew, who joins in the fun, building and creating with LEGOs as we chat! You'll hear from Mike's wife and occasional Co-Host, Dr. Robin Naughton, who weighs in as a Librarian and Information Scientist at Queens College where she's thinking about Teacher Training and Maker Spaces.

Note: there's a bit of the conference buzz in the background, but that's part of the magic – capturing the excitement of learning and discovery in action.  

Dr. Nash, a true legend in the field, shares her expertise on problem-based learning and science education while describing LEGO's innovative approaches to K-12 education. We discuss the importance of hands-on learning and how LEGO Education is bringing engagement back into the classroom. We also delve into the findings of LEGO's State of Classroom Engagement Report, highlighting the critical role of engagement and confidence in student learning.

Key Takeaways:

• The LEGO Education Science program and its focus on purposeful play to achieve learning outcomes. Plus motors and wheels are cool!  
• How LEGO Education is designed to be classroom-ready, supporting teachers with lesson plans, slide decks, and professional development.  
• The balance between structured and unstructured play in educational settings.  
• Insights into fostering collaboration and problem-solving skills in the classroom.  

Whether you're an educator, parent, or just a lover of LEGOs, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the power of play in education.  

Don't Miss:

• Matthew’s creative LEGO car designs and his interaction with Dr. Nash.  
• The discussion around extending hands-on learning into teacher training programs.  

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A special thanks to Dr. Robin Naughton and Matthew Palmer for joining the conversation, and of course, to Dr. Jenny Nash for sharing her expertise and passion for LEGO Education.  

Until next time, keep exploring, keep playing, and keep learning!

00:00 Introduction and Overview

00:11 Meet Dr. Jenny Nash from LEGO Education

00:51 Playful Learning with LEGO

02:02 Hands-On Learning and Engagement

04:03 LEGO Education Science

09:28 Collaborative Learning with LEGO

11:37 Teacher Workshops and Professional Development

12:04 Classroom Ready Resources for Teachers

13:18 Balancing Play and Structure in Learning

14:58 Extending LEGO Education to Higher Grades

15:43 Hands-On Learning in Teacher Training

18:40 Collaborative Learning and Its Importance

20:35 LEGO Education Science and Competitions

22:38 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

23:14 Conclusion and Future Episodes