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Purdue University has announced a groundbreaking professional development initiative titled "Brick by Brick: Bringing AI to the Classroom." In partnership with LEGO® Education, the one-day workshop scheduled for July 23, 2026, aims to equip middle school educators with the tools to integrate artificial intelligence, coding, and robotics into their curricula.
By using LEGO® Education Computer Science & AI kits, Purdue is leading the charge to transform students from passive technology consumers into active creators. To amplify the impact of this "hands-on" revolution, inviting key STEM influencers could help bridge the gap between academic research and classroom implementation. Here are ten influencers who perfectly embody the spirit of this workshop.
Emily Calandrelli
Emily Calandrelli, widely known as "The Space Gal," is an MIT-engineer turned Emmy-nominated TV host and author who has dedicated her career to making science accessible and exciting. As a leading voice in STEM education, Emily’s focus on hands-on experimentation and scientific curiosity mirrors the core philosophy of Purdue’s LEGO-AI collaboration.
Her ability to translate complex engineering concepts into engaging, digestible content for young learners makes her an ideal candidate to witness how LEGO kits can demystify AI. Her participation would bring national visibility to the workshop, encouraging educators across the country to adopt similar "play-based" learning strategies. By attending, Emily could showcase how Purdue is equipping teachers to inspire the next generation of aerospace engineers and tech innovators through tangible, tactile technology.
- Focus Area: Aerospace Engineering, STEM Literacy, Science Communication
- Platforms: Instagram, TikTok, Netflix
Martina Cahill
Based in Indiana, Martina Cahill is a macro-influencer and middle school educator who has built a massive community by sharing practical, time-saving classroom resources. Her brand, "The Hungry Teacher," focuses on creating high-engagement lesson plans that balance academic rigor with student interest. Given that Purdue’s workshop is specifically tailored for Indiana STEM educators serving grades 6-8, Martina is the perfect local advocate to attend.
She understands the unique challenges of the middle school classroom and the importance of "classroom-ready" lessons. Her involvement would provide fellow Hoosier teachers with a relatable perspective on how to integrate LEGO-AI kits into a daily schedule without overwhelming their existing workloads, turning cutting-edge AI theory into a functional reality for Indiana students.
- Focus Area: Middle School ELA & STEM, Classroom Management, Teacher Resources
- Platforms: Instagram, Teachers Pay Teachers
Adam Savage
The former MythBusters co-host and editor-in-chief of Tested, Adam Savage, is perhaps the world's most famous advocate for the "maker" movement. His philosophy centers on the idea that building and tinkering are the highest forms of learning and problem-solving. Purdue’s "Brick by Brick" workshop, which uses physical LEGO bricks to teach abstract AI concepts, aligns perfectly with Adam’s lifelong dedication to hands-on craftsmanship.
Inviting Adam would highlight the "Build, Solve, Invent" loop that LEGO Education promotes. His participation would emphasize that AI and computer science aren't just lines of code on a screen, they are physical systems that can be manipulated and improved. Adam’s presence would inspire educators to see themselves as "master builders" of their students' futures.
- Focus Area: Maker Culture, Special Effects, STEM Advocacy
- Platforms: YouTube, Instagram
Gabe Dannenbring
Gabe Dannenbring is a middle school science teacher from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, who has become a viral sensation by capturing the chaotic and comedic reality of life in the classroom. With a massive following across TikTok and Instagram, Gabe uses humor to connect with both students and fellow educators, often highlighting the relatable struggles of grading, student behavior, and school assemblies.
His focus area is "Edu-tainment," where he blends science demonstrations with comedic sketches that humanize the teaching profession. For an event like Purdue’s LEGO-AI workshop, Gabe would be a perfect bridge, showing how to take technical concepts and make them approachable through personality-driven content. His ability to make learning look like fun is exactly what is needed to inspire the next generation of creators.
- Focus Area: Middle School Science, Educational Comedy, Student Engagement
- Platforms: TikTok, Instagram, YouTube
Ashley Christine
Ashley Christine, known as "Modern Day Eratosthenes," is a mathematician and author who specializes in "cranking out STEM news" and making math feel like a global adventure. Her content often focuses on the history of discovery and the mathematical foundations of modern technology. AI is essentially advanced mathematics in action, and Ashley’s unique ability to tell the story behind the numbers would add a rich layer of context to the Purdue workshop.
She could help educators frame the LEGO-AI lessons as part of a larger historical narrative of human innovation. Her participation would encourage teachers to see AI not as a daunting new subject, but as the next chapter in the long history of problem-solving, making the workshop’s technical concepts feel accessible and deeply human.
- Focus Area: Mathematics, Science History, STEM News
- Platforms: Instagram, TikTok
Gerry Brooks
Gerry Brooks is an elementary school principal and nationally recognized speaker based in Lexington, Kentucky, who has built a brand around "Personal Climate and Culture" in schools. Known for his humorous "encouragement" videos, Gerry provides a voice for teachers and administrators navigating the complexities of the modern education system. His focus area is educational leadership and staff morale, where he uses satire to address administrative hurdles and the importance of a positive school environment.
His attendance at a specialized workshop would be invaluable, as he could speak to how hands-on tools like LEGO kits can improve school culture by fostering collaboration and reducing teacher burnout. Gerry represents the leadership perspective necessary to ensure that innovative STEM programs are successfully integrated at the district level.
- Focus Area: Educational Leadership, School Culture, Motivational Speaking
- Platforms: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube
Abigail Harrison
Abigail Harrison, widely known as "Astronaut Abby," is a biogeochemist, physicist, and PhD student whose life mission is to be the first person to walk on Mars. She is the founder of The Mars Generation, a non-profit that empowers youth to embrace STEM and space exploration. Purdue University, famously known as the "Cradle of Astronauts," is the natural home for Abby’s influence.
The LEGO-AI workshop’s focus on robotics and coding is directly applicable to the future of space exploration, where AI-driven rovers and autonomous systems are essential. Abby’s presence at the workshop would inspire teachers to frame these "Brick by Brick" lessons as training for the next generation of space explorers, connecting classroom robotics kits to the actual technology that will one day land on the Red Planet.
- Focus Area: Space Exploration, Physics, STEM Advocacy for Youth
- Platforms: Instagram, TikTok, YouTube
Caleb Bonyun
Caleb Bonyun is an MIT physicist who has built a massive digital following by proving that "physics is fun." His content is centered on spectacular demonstrations and clear, enthusiastic explanations of the physical world. Purdue’s initiative with LEGO Education is rooted in the "hands-on, collaborative approach," which mirrors Caleb’s teaching style.
AI and robotics are grounded in the principles of physics (force, motion, and energy) and Caleb is the perfect influencer to demonstrate how those principles come to life through LEGO builds. His attendance would provide a high-energy "spark" to the event, showcasing for the 60 attending educators how to turn a simple LEGO robot into a high-level physics lesson that captivates students' attention and fuels their desire to experiment and invent.
- Focus Area: Physics Education, Science Demonstrations, STEM Communication
- Platforms: Instagram, TikTok
Lauren Lowder
Lauren Lowder is a high-energy educator and digital creator known for her innovative "Classroom Transformations" and creative teaching strategies. Based in the Midwest, Lauren focuses on creating immersive learning environments that captivate students' imaginations and drive academic success. Her focus area is high-engagement pedagogy, where she turns standard lessons into theatrical, hands-on experiences.
For a workshop centered on LEGO-AI kits, Lauren is an ideal participant because she excels at taking physical tools and building entire thematic worlds around them. Her involvement would provide educators with a blueprint for how to move beyond a simple building activity and create a comprehensive, AI-driven "mission" that keeps middle school students fully engaged from start to finish.
- Focus Area: Classroom Transformations, Creative Pedagogy, Elementary & Middle Education
- Platforms: Instagram, TikTok
Steve Backshall
Steve Backshall is a world-renowned explorer and naturalist who has partnered with LEGO Education to launch new STEM sets that connect play with sustainability. His "spirit of adventure" is a perfect fit for a workshop designed to "spark curiosity." Steve believes that hands-on play allows children to become "active scientists" who tackle real-world challenges.
By inviting Steve to Purdue, the university could highlight how AI and robotics can be applied to environmental conservation and the study of the natural world. Steve could inspire educators to use their LEGO kits to build solutions for climate monitoring or wildlife protection, showing students that AI is a powerful tool for preserving our planet. His presence would emphasize that STEM education is a grand "voyage of discovery."
- Focus Area: Natural History, Exploration, Sustainable STEM Education
- Platforms: Instagram, YouTube, BBC
Building a Collaborative Future
The strategic inclusion of these diverse influencers is the catalyst required to transform a regional workshop into a national blueprint for the future of STEM. By leveraging the digital reach of these influencers, Purdue University can broadcast its innovative pedagogy to millions, effectively amplifying its mission to cultivate a more tech-literate generation of educators. These creators do more than share content; they build communities of practice, providing the social proof necessary to encourage teachers everywhere to embrace AI and robotics as essential classroom tools.
As influencers translate Purdue’s "Brick by Brick" curriculum into viral, relatable narratives, they create a sustained digital echo that supports the university’s long-term goal of developing forward-thinking leaders. This partnership ensures that the sparks of curiosity ignited on the West Lafayette campus are carried into thousands of classrooms across the country. With these champions at the helm, Purdue would be mobilizing a modern movement that empowers the next generation of educators to lead with confidence in an AI-driven world, ensuring that innovation is built one brick, and one post, at a time.
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