Bring an optimistic, learner-centered vision of AI into your classroom
Dr. Gary Stager is bringing an exciting new workshop to Chicago, October 16, 2026.
Computational making recognizes that the future is computational. Making things with code expands the creative canvas, supercharges mathematical thinking, and positions learners to explore the frontiers of nearly any discipline.
Developing computational fluency allows students of all ages to solve problems, make cool things, and make things work. Exciting new software tools allow teachers and students to engage in computational making without the barriers posed by syntax in traditional programming languages. Computational making shifts the emphasis from being taught to students engaging in the act of being mathematicians, scientists, artists, software developers, and more. It amplifies the potential of even young learners.
This workshop's playful and practical experiences will help any educator shape the learning environment to support computational making and help students learn and do in ways unimaginable before. This approach offers an optimistic learner-centered vision of artificial intelligence that amplifies human potential grounded in timeless progressive traditions.
Project-based learning (PBL) appeals to many educators, even those who don't know where to start or are unclear what exactly constitutes a project. By recasting PBL as a "Learning Adventure" we can celebrate connections, wonder, inquiry, research, and depth. Participants will be inspired to level-up and create learning adventures in their classrooms using exciting new software environments and a project-approach.
"If you can make things with technology, then you can make a lot more interesting things. And learn a lot more by making them."
— Seymour Papert
The Day's Learning Adventures
What's Included?
- Full-day hands-on workshop
- Copy of the new book, The Learner's Apprentice — AI and the Amplification of Human Creativity ($27 value)
- Workshop materials
- Continental breakfast
- Delicious family-style lunch
- Snacks and beverages
Who Should Attend?
- PK-12 teachers
- Math, IT, Computer Science educators
- Makerspace educators
- Tech directors
- Directors of teaching and learning
- Curriculum coordinators
- School leaders
Bring a laptop and your imagination. We'll supply the rest!
Dr. Gary Stager
Veteran Teacher Educator · Author · SpeakerDr. Gary Stager is a veteran teacher educator with more than four decades of experience helping schools make sense of an increasingly complex and technologically sophisticated world. He played a substantial role in realizing 1:1 computing in schools, project-based online learning, and the book he co-authored, Invent To Learn: Making, Tinkering, and Engineering in the Classroom, has been called "the bible of the maker movement in schools." That book has now been translated into ten languages. A primary school teacher by training, Dr. Stager has taught students from preschool through doctoral level.
Gary earned his PhD in Science and Mathematics Education at the University of Melbourne and worked closely with the father of educational computing, Dr. Seymour Papert, for decades. Dr. Stager is a popular keynote speaker at many of the world's leading conferences and his most recent project includes a collaboration with the remarkable educators of Reggio Emilia, Italy to create The Language of Computation — Constructing Modern Knowledge in Reggio Emilia.
Date, Location & Fee
Date & Time
9 AM – 3 PM
October 16, 2026
Location
Computational Making & Learning Workshop
Maggiano's Little Italy — Clark & Grand
516 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654
Workshop Fee
$260 early-bird, per participant
$285 after September 15th
10% discount available for teams of 3 or more educators
Constructing Modern Knowledge has a CPS Vendor # for purchase orders.
Don't Miss This Learning Adventure
Join educators from across the region for a full day of computational making, playful exploration, and practical classroom-ready ideas — early-bird pricing ends September 15th.
Register Today! Space is limited!