Lauren Lillentein

Next Ready Playground

Monday, July 20 · 3:45 PM – 4:30 PM · Easton B

Think play is just for elementary school? Think again. In Career and Technical Education (CTE), we’re constantly focused on "getting to work." But what if the secret to building a resilient, innovative, and "Next Ready" workforce isn’t just more hours under the hood or practicing blood drawls, but more play? Join Lauren Lillenstein in the Next Ready Playground, where she's tearing down the wall between "learning" and "having fun." She'll dive into the fascinating brain science that proves why play is a neurological necessity. You’ll discover how intentional play fires up the prefrontal cortex, lowers stress, and builds the exact durable skills—like creative problem solving, empathy, and adaptability—that our students (and you!) need to navigate a changing world. Come prepared to move, create, and have fun. Warning: Side effects may include increased engagement, bursts of laughter, and a sudden realization that your best teaching happens when you’re having as much fun as your students.