From Mandate to Momentum in Michigan CS and AI Education

By fall 2027, all Michigan high schools need to offer Computer Science (CS) courses. As districts prepare to meet Governor Whitmer’s mandate, building principals lead faculty, many of whom have never taught CS before, through uncharted territory. Meanwhile, Artificial Intelligence (AI) raises new questions about data privacy and student safety. 

How educators meet this moment will shape student readiness for 9-12 CS instruction and future careers. 

Here's the Big Question: 

How can principals support K-8 teachers with tools and professional development to help them confidently deliver CS and AI instruction that prepares students for high school opportunities?  

To prepare teachers to lead students through thoughtful and responsible exploration of emerging technology, teachers need:

• Context that builds confidence with core CS and AI concepts

• Clear, safety-first guardrails

• Connection of learning to real careers

Why Teacher Preparation Matters More Than Ever

Foundational exposure in K-8 builds the pipeline for more rigorous high school coursework. MiSTEM says the law helps students connect STEM coursework to real-life problem-solving as they develop skills that lead to high-wage, high-demand careers in industries like AI and cybersecurity. As AI becomes part of daily life, teachers need to understand how it works, its opportunities, and how to safely teach students to use it.

The mandate doesn't have to be a compliance exercise, adding to “one more thing” fatigue. Instead, principals can be strategic with budgets, so teachers get professional learning that sets them up for success.

Professional Learning > Tool Tutorials

Imagine K-8 classrooms where students put away their screens, and instead build, explore, and learn together, turning computer science into something they can see, touch, and get excited about. LEGO® Education Computer Science & AI empowers teachers to deliver CS and AI learning that is impactful, meaningful, and relevant for every K-8 classroom.  

Regardless of previous CS experience, teachers can confidently deliver creative, interactive experiences.

Built to deliver CS and AI learning outcomes and backed by extensive product testing in real classrooms, the solution is:

• Designed for long-term continuous use in classrooms 

• Offers limitless learning with multiple exploration pathways

• Includes hands-on kits with LEGO® bricks, hardware, and code ready to go

• Provides standards-aligned lessons and design challenges in an intuitive teacher portal

LEGO Education Computer Science & AI seamlessly integrates into existing curricula or serves as an extensive core CS curriculum that aligns with district goals and evolves to keep pace with the future of CS and AI education. 

Safety is Non-Negotiable

What does safe AI instruction look like? Principals worry about student data, exposure to generative AI, and online risks. LEGO Education Computer Science & AI puts student wellbeing at the center by:

• Teaching responsible use and critical thinking around AI tools

• Providing age-appropriate lessons explaining what AI is and is not

• Collecting no student data and requiring no student logins

Teachers Also Need a Safe Environment

A LEGO® Education global study of 1600 teachers across the US, Germany, South Korea, and Australia reveals most teachers feel under-equipped to teach CS and AI effectively. Professional development that embraces “not knowing” empowers them to learn and experiment alongside students, building both competence and confidence.

The Path Forward

Preparing K-8 students for high school computer science needn't be an isolating experience for principals and teachers. Educators across Michigan are grappling with the same challenges. When teachers feel supported and families know safety is at the center, CS and AI become powerful, engaging pathways accessible to more students earlier in their educational journey.

By investing in professional development that goes beyond tutorials, and by prioritizing solutions that protect student data while explicitly teaching safe, responsible AI use, school leaders can turn an overwhelming requirement into a meaningful advantage for their communities. The key is choosing partners and programs that align with these priorities, ensuring staff has the tools and training to bring safe, high-quality CS and AI learning to their school,

Learn more about LEGO® Education Computer Science & AI.

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1. Start early! Prep K-8 students for mandatory high school CS courses with LEGO® Education hands-on lessons

2. In light of Michigan's high school CS mandate, K-8 schools are embracing early CS learning with LEGO® Education