Recent News
PLL Hosts Educator Playdate “PLAYfest: A Day of Wonder”
Wednesday, September 2, 2020
On August 14, the Playful Learning Lab (PLL) hosted PLAYfest: A Day of Wonder. What started as a tweet from PLL’s AnnMarie Thomas blossomed into a daylong, virtual gathering for educators of all kinds, free of cost. PLAYfest gave attendees an opportunity to gather together through playful learning and interact with new ideas and new people. Inspired by the four principles of the Playful Learning Lab, the speaker sessions were based around joy, whimsy, new friends, and surprise…
University of St. Thomas Newsroom: “Humans of St. Thomas: Patrick Roche”
Monday, August 10, 2020 - Newsroom at University of St. Thomas
Electrical engineer and PLL member Patrick Roche was featured in the University of St. Thomas’s “Humans of St. Thomas” series. The article highlighted his work in the PLL and his career working with David Kwong, a magician and crossword puzzle writer for the New York Times.
Lab Keeps Students Engaged (and Paid) During a Summer of Pandemic
Wednesday, August 5, 2020 - Newsroom at University of St. Thomas
The Newsroom featured numerous PLL members in an article about the PLAYground project and the value of PLL employment, especially during COVID.
PLAYground reimagines distance learning for deaf and hearing impaired kids
Tuesday, July 14, 2020 - KARE 11
KARE 11’s article talks about the benefits of the PLAYground and the work behind the project.
PLL Research Paper Receives ASEE’s Superior Student Paper Award
Tuesday, July 14, 2020
“Art in Space: Using Art to Interest K-12 Students in Aerospace Design,” a research paper authored by members and friends of the Playful Learning Lab (PLL), received the Super Student Paper Award in the Aerospace Division at the 2020 American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Conference and Exhibition….
University of St. Thomas students design virtual summer camp for deaf and hard of hearing children
Thursday, July 9, 2020 - FOX 9
Fox 9 caught up with Lab members Sara Thibault and Emma Monson and one of the campers in an article featuring the PLL’s PLAYground project.
Deaf distance learning challenges being helped by program from University of St. Thomas
Wednesday, July 8, 2020 - KSTP
KSTP talked to PLL members Sara Thibault and Emma Monson and published a piece on the PLAYground.
Playful Learning Lab Launches Virtual Summer Camp: the PLAYground
Monday, June 29, 2020
With summer camp cancellations, many people self-quarantining, and communities being heavily affected by racial injustice, the Playful Learning Lab (PLL) saw an opportunity to keep kids learning and playing over the summer and to foster community when people may need it most. Originally designed for students at Metro Deaf School in St. Paul, MN, the PLAYground is an eight-week virtual summer camp with free resources available to everyone. Camp kicked off on Monday, June 15 for 86 campers and their camp counselors…
OK Go Sandbox Launches New Challenge to Spread Gratitude
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
As part of OK Go Sandbox (a partnership with Grammy-winning rock band OK Go), the Playful Learning Lab launched the Art Together Now project Wednesday. Art Together Now is a complement to OK Go’s most recent song “All Together Now,” which the band members recorded separately in their own homes. Following the song, the music video captures a tribute to the frontline healthcare workers…
St. Thomas students donate face shields to local hospitals
Saturday, May 9, 2020 - TommieMedia
Reporter Leila Weah featured the work of PLL alum Collin Goldbach and his peers to equip hospitals across Minnesota and Wisconsin with PPE.
Playful Learning Lab, LEGO Foundation Launch “StoryCity”
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
In collaboration with the LEGO Foundation, the Playful Learning Lab launched the StoryCity project Wednesday. StoryCity is a platform that compiles the stories told and communities built, asking how everyday materials can be transformed into neighborhoods and stories that come together to create one big mosaic of a shared, diverse city…
Amid Coronavirus, St. Thomas Professor Launches Virtual Classroom For Teachers
Monday, April 27, 2020 - WCCO
WCCO shared information on the PlayLine, the PLL’s project that provides a virtual meet-up space for educators to contemplate their roles during the uneasy time.
OK Go packs fun -- and playful learning -- into innovative, educational videos
Friday, April 24, 2020 - Daily Herald
The Daily Herald featured OK Go Sandbox and caught up with PLL’s AnnMarie Thomas and OK Go’s drummer, Dan Konopka.
With Peers, PLL Member Collin Goldbach 3D Prints Medical Equipment
Monday, April 20, 2020
A group of students at the University of St. Thomas are using the school’s 3D printers to turn out personal protective equipment (PPE) in response to the medical community’s need for supplies. Among the students is PLL member Collin Goldbach…
Caltech Article Features Alumna AnnMarie Thomas
Wednesday, April 8, 2020
The California Institute of Technology recently published an article featuring Caltech alumna AnnMarie Thomas, founder of the Playful Learning Lab. The article highlights her work with OK Go and OK Go Sandbox and the Playful Learning Lab's approach to play…
Playful Learning Lab Launches “The PlayLine”
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
After the success of the virtual LEGO Conference and 24-hour Create-A-Thon, the Playful Learning Lab was inspired to gather educators virtually and, in collaboration with performer Carly Ciarrocchi and LEGO Research Fellow Garrett Jaeger, launched The PlayLine…
AnnMarie Thomas Awarded LEGO Prize 2020
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
AnnMarie Thomas, founder and director of the Playful Learning Lab, was awarded the 2020 LEGO Prize yesterday in Denmark during the LEGO Idea Conference. Thomas is being recognized for collaboration with educators and her advocacy for playful learning…