MindSpark and Google launch free AI training for educators and students

MindSpark has launched Meet LEA with Google, a free AI training offering for teachers, school leaders, youth program staff and students. The program gives participants four ways to learn practical uses of AI tools already built into Google Search, with a focus on classroom application and responsible use.

Why it matters: - AI skills are becoming part of everyday teaching and learning. - MindSpark’s new program aims to help educators use AI without waiting for district-wide systems or expensive training. - The offering is designed to support lesson planning, student inquiry and responsible use in classrooms and youth programs.

What happened: - MindSpark announced Meet LEA, short for Learn & Explore with AI, in partnership with Google. - The offering is free and built around AI tools already available in Google Search. - The program is open to teachers, school leaders, youth program leaders and students. - Eligible participants include K–12 teachers, teachers in training, instructional coaches, curriculum specialists, school and district leaders, homeschool educators and staff at after-school programs, summer camps, libraries, museums and youth-serving organizations such as Boys & Girls Clubs. - Participants can also use MindSpark materials to train colleagues or teams.

The details: - Meet LEA includes four participation paths. - Live interactive sessions run 45 minutes and are led by MindSpark AI expert Jacki Reid. - Session dates are posted on a rolling basis, and registration is open up to two months in advance. - A self-paced version delivers the same core content anytime. - A team-training option gives participants Google training materials to share at schools or programs. - A student program gives educators materials to teach students about using AI thoughtfully, safely and responsibly. - The learning model emphasizes inquiry and student understanding over simply giving answers. - MindSpark says the approach is meant to expand access, creativity and problem-solving without replacing human judgment or relationships. - The learning outcomes focus on three areas: accelerating planning, enriching learning and empowering exploration. - Planning support includes Google Search’s AI-powered features, follow-up questions and structured outputs that can help organize instructional prep. - Learning support includes Google Lens in Chrome and AI-powered Search experiences that help students work with sources and deepen understanding. - Exploration support includes multimodal tools such as Google Lens and Search Live for curiosity-driven investigation. - More information and registration are available at MindSpark’s Meet LEA page.

Between the lines: - The partnership reflects a push to move AI from abstract policy debates into practical classroom use. - Packaging the training in multiple formats makes the program easier to spread across schools and youth organizations. - The student-facing materials suggest MindSpark is treating AI literacy as a skill for both adults and learners, not just teachers. - MindSpark CEO Kellie Lauth said AI literacy is becoming a core skill and that educators need practical support that translates into classroom practice. - Jacki Reid said the tools work because Google’s AI features are already inside the search bar teachers and students use every day.

What's next: - Session dates will continue to be added on a rolling basis. - Educators and program leaders can register for any of the four pathways now. - Participants who complete the training can extend the materials to colleagues, which could broaden adoption inside schools and youth-serving organizations. - MindSpark also points to its broader educator network and past impact, saying it has supported more than 91,000 professionals and positively impacted 2.73 million students since 2017.

The bottom line: - Meet LEA gives educators and youth staff a free, Google-based entry point into AI skills at a time when classrooms are already feeling the pressure to adapt.