Computational thinking (CT) is often framed narrowly as a precursor to coding with decomposition pattern recognition abstraction and algorithmic design taught in service of computer science. This talk argues for a broader view where CT serves as a transferable metacognitive practice that helps students notice name and regulate their own thinking across any subject. Drawing on classroom-based research I’ll share how the core CT practices (such as, decomposition, debugging) supports teachers to explicitly engage students in metacognitive practices. With AI literacy now a pressing concern CT-as-metacognition may be one of the few durable reasons left to teach it explicitly. I’ll close with practical implications for K–12 curriculum design and teacher professional development.

In this keynote, I will introduce a simple way to help frame how we think about the ways AI tools and AI technology might be used in our teaching practice. I will share some related emerging research themes, including FATPS, SEAME, Computational Thinking 2.0, anthropomorphisation, and interaction and feedback literacy. Here are some new acronyms and terms to get to know. Let’s discuss and consider what they mean for teaching and learning.

Dr. Aman Yadav is the Lappan-Phillips Professor of Computing Education in the College of Education and College of Natural Science at Michigan State University with extensive experience in research, evaluation, and teacher professional development. His research and teaching focus on supporting educators to understand, apply, and critically evaluate the use of computing and artificial intelligence in K-12 classrooms. He leads projects that design, implement, and assess how professional learning experiences can support teachers to bring computational tools and practices to support their disciplinary teaching. His co-edited book, Computational Thinking in Education: A Pedagogical Perspective tackles how to integrate computational thinking, coding, and subject matter in relevant and meaningful ways. His work has been published in several leading journals, including Communications of the ACM, Journal of Computers in Education, Education and Information Technologies, and ACM Transactions on Computing Education

Computational Thinking (CT) is best learned when students experience it through meaningful, hands-on activities. This interactive workshop demonstrates how playgrounds can become learning spaces where children explore core Computational Thinking concepts through physical movement, collaboration, and play. 

Participants will engage with large-scale CS Unplugged activities developed by Green Buddies Foundation, including Sorting Networks, pathfinding, algorithms, pattern recognition, logical reasoning, and problem-solving games integrated into sustainable playground designs made from recycled tyres. The workshop will explore how these activities align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, promote experiential and inclusive learning, and contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by advancing quality education, sustainable communities, responsible consumption through tyre reuse, and children’s well-being through active play. 

Educators will leave with practical ideas and resources to design low-cost, scalable Computational Thinking experiences that integrate sustainability with joyful learning and can be implemented in schools and communities across diverse contexts. 

Anuya Trivedi is the Founder and Director of Green Buddies Foundation, a Section 8 non-profit organization dedicated to transforming children’s learning through sustainable, play-based education. With over 11 years of corporate experience in the pharmaceutical industry, she transitioned into the social sector to champion the Right to Play by creating experiential STREAM playgrounds using recycled tyres. 

Her work integrates Computational Thinking, STEM education, environmental sustainability, and joyful learning, enabling children to learn through movement, exploration, and collaboration. Under her leadership, Green Buddies Foundation has developed over 50 sustainable playgrounds, repurposed thousands of waste tyres, and positively impacted more than 30,000 children across India. 

Anuya is currently collaborating with the Centre for Creative Learning (CCL), IIT Gandhinagar to develop and research playground-scale Computational Thinking and STEM learning experiences that make abstract concepts tangible through play. She serves as the Member Secretary of the Advisory Committee, Play360 USA, and is a Mentor of Change with the Atal Innovation Mission (NITI Aayog). She is also a PlayMaker Fellow with Play360 and has

completed the Executive Program in Design Thinking for Strategic Leadership from IIM Lucknow. 

Her contributions have been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the Creative Innovator Award 2023, Green Business of the Year Award 2022, Global Recycling Heroes Award 2020, and the Gijubhai Badheka Award 2023 for excellence in Early Childhood Education. 

Through collaborations with educators, researchers, and institutions, she continues to advocate for playful, inclusive, and sustainable learning environments that make Computational Thinking accessible to every child.