BETT 2026 LEGO Education spotlights AI and hands-on learning across keynote and classroom sessions
LEGO Education used Bett 2026 to set out its approach to AI literacy through a keynote session and a series of classroom activities, while LEO Academy Trust shared how pupils engaged with the company’s computer science and AI resources during the event.
During Bett 2026, LEGO Education shared reflections on LinkedIn following its keynote session focused on AI literacy and classroom practice.
The keynote, delivered by Andrew Sliwinski, Head of LEGO Education Product Experience, centred on the idea that AI education should prioritise understanding how systems work, rather than simply teaching students how to use tools.
Sliwinski says, “AI literacy shouldn’t be about teaching children how to use a ‘magic box’. It should be about handing children a screwdriver to take the magic box apart and build things from the pieces.”
According to the post, teachers are increasingly reporting that while students approach AI tools with confidence, they often lack comprehension of the concepts that underpin AI systems.
Educators raise concerns about support and readiness
The LEGO Education post also highlighted challenges facing schools as expectations around AI increase. It noted that educators “cannot be expected to adopt new standards and mandates without the scaffolding to support them,” pointing to the need for clearer frameworks, curriculum-aligned resources, and professional development.
Educators from LEO Academy Trust contributed classroom perspectives during the keynote. Julaan Govier, Class Teacher, Curriculum Leader, and Digital Champion at LEO Academy Trust, says, “To focus on foundational AI literacy, we moved from a black box mentality to a glass box mentality. We want them to not just think about how to write prompts, but understand the mechanics under the hood.”
The post also included comments from Cheryl Shirley, Director of Digital Learning at LEO Academy Trust, on the wider system response to AI. Shirley says, “Reflect really carefully on the current system and think to themselves, are they genuinely preparing young people for the world in which they’re going to be living in. I think we’ve got an opportunity here to make education more impactful than it’s ever been before.”
LEO Academy Trust shares pupil experience with LEGO Education
In a separate LinkedIn post, LEO Academy Trust shared how a group of Year 6 pupils from Hurst Park Primary Academy spent time working with LEGO Education during Bett 2026.
According to the Trust, pupils took part in workshops and activities with LEGO Education, beginning with the LEGO Group Duck Challenge and progressing to presentations on how LEGO Education supports learning across science, design and technology, and computing.
The post highlighted that pupils explored LEGO Education’s Computer Science and AI resource through a hands-on session where they created datasets and trained a robot, building understanding of machine learning and real-world AI applications.
The Trust also confirmed that four pupils are now preparing to present their ideas to the LEGO team in Billund during a visit to the LEGO Campus later this year.
ETIH Innovation Awards 2026
The ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 are now open and recognize education technology organizations delivering measurable impact across K–12, higher education, and lifelong learning. The awards are open to entries from the UK, the Americas, and internationally, with submissions assessed on evidence of outcomes and real-world application.
