In this episode, Lisa Cherivtch reflects on her experience building a gamified classroom that blends storytelling, active learning, and LEGO® Serious Play®. She shares how visible thinking strategies help students move beyond passive listening and into deeper engagement.

Lisa explores the balance between fun and academic rigor, explaining why intentional design, not entertainment, is what makes learning stick.

• Teaching is not just the transfer of knowledge, but involves deeper engagement.
• Play is a fundamental aspect of human experience and learning.
• Community involvement is crucial to the success of educational initiatives.
• Play can lower the stakes in high-pressure learning environments.
• Storytelling enhances the learning experience and fosters connection.
• Play is an antidote to loneliness and social disconnection.
• Everyone has their own unique way of expressing play.
• Curiosity drives creativity and innovation in education.
• Playful pedagogy can be applied across various disciplines, including medicine and business.
• The upcoming Playposium and InnoPlay Studio events aim to further explore the role of play in education.

In this episode, host Lisa Cherivtch reflects on the transformative role of play in education and how it unlocks creativity, confidence, and connection in the classroom. Fresh from a play-focused education conference, Lisa shares practical strategies and class-tested activities—including her fan-favorite Ugly Sweater marketing project—that help students feel safe taking risks, making mistakes, and growing.

From hands-on engagement to emotional support, this conversation dives into how playful learning helps students think differently, collaborate authentically, and leave with skills that matter.