This year at SXSW EDU, Thinkery was thrilled to join the conversation on the future of education, play-based learning, and the role of technology in shaping how children learn and grow. We had the opportunity to participate in two thought-provoking panels that highlighted how new technologies and hands-on, interactive learning experiences can inspire and equip the next generation of confident, creative thinkers!
Keep reading to learn more about the conversations that took place! Full audio recordings of both panels are now available online. Click the links below to listen.
AI in Education: Preparing Gen A as the Creators of Tomorrow
Continuing the conversation from our AI in education panel presented in SXSW EDU 2024, this session dove deeper into the topic of the rapid changes in today’s technology and education.
As artificial intelligence begins to grow and technology rapidly advances, how can we best prepare new generations to enter an ever-changing workforce that values adaptability, specialization, and lifelong learning? This panel, moderated by Thinkery CEO, Andy Bell, brought together Founder and CEO of NFNTE Capital, Harold Hughes, Professor of Psychology at UT Austin, Dr. Cristine Legare, and Superintendent at Leander ISD, Dr. Bruce Gearing to explore this question and the importance of collaboration, creativity, and equitable access to technology. Some key takeaways from their discussion include:
- The Future of Learning and the Workforce: Many jobs today didn’t exist a generation ago, and education systems must evolve to equip students with skills such as STEM reasoning, innovation, and critical thinking to help prepare them for the ever-changing workforce.
- AI as a Partner, Not a Replacement: While there are concerns about AI replacing jobs, the panel reframed AI as a tool that enhances human capabilities and skills by complementing each person’s strengths and reducing cognitive load.
- Equity, Creativity, and Community-Centric Learning: Learning environments must be inclusive and diverse to foster innovation. Museums, schools, and ed-tech companies can collaborate to create engaging, hands-on experiences that reflect diverse perspectives.
- Empowering Educators and Students: AI should be embraced as a tool for exploration. Educators can introduce students to AI through interactive exercises that foster creativity and problem-solving.
The panel emphasized that education must shift from preparing students for a single career path to equipping them with the tools to navigate an ever-changing world and workforce. By integrating AI in meaningful ways, educators can help students take charge of their own learning and future.
The Untapped Learning Space: Children’s Museums
Play is more than just fun—it’s an essential part of a child’s cognitive, social, and emotional development. In The Untapped Learning Space: Children’s Museums panel, Arthur G. Affleck III, Executive Director of the Association of Children’s Museums invited Bay Area Discovery Museum CEO, Kelly McKinley, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis CEO, Jennifer Pace Robinson, and Thinkery CEO, Andy Bell to discuss learning in children’s museums. Panelists discussed how children’s museums provide immersive, hands-on experiences that help children learn in ways traditional classrooms often cannot. The panelists also discussed:
- Museums as Community Hubs: Children’s museums serve as important family resources, offering programs that extend learning beyond their exhibits and into schools and community organizations. Creating partnerships with community organizations help bring play-based learning to more children.
- Addressing Barriers to Access and Equity: Financial, social, and cultural barriers can prevent some families from visiting museums. Institutions are working to diversify staff, provide multilingual programming, and foster inclusive environments.
- Intergenerational Learning Experiences: Children’s museums are designed to engage both kids and caregivers, creating shared learning moments that strengthen family connections. From hands-on STEAM activities to intergeneration-inspired exhibits, these experiences make learning joyful and collaborative.
The panel highlighted the importance of play as a tool for lifelong learning. By making museum experiences more accessible and inclusive, we can ensure all children have the opportunity to develop critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills in engaging, meaningful ways.
Sharing about the power of play-based, hands-on learning and exploring ways to integrate technology into education with community helps us advance Thinkery’s mission. By engaging in conversations like these at SXSW EDU, we continue to lead the future of play-based STEAM learning experiences that inspire and equip ALL children to be confident, creative thinkers.