Thank you TEDx for helping share our story! @TEDx @TEDxPitt ted.com/talks/nesra_yannier_…

Join us July 29 at 1:00 PM ET to hear how 2026 #ToolsCompetition winner @NoRilla is fostering scientific curiosity and critical thinking through an AI-powered mixed-reality STEM platform. Register: form.fillout.com/t/dKa2W4cYH…

This year, we were thrilled to launch our BalanceShip unit, which teaches concepts of mathematics, ratios, equations, and proportional reasoning aligned with NGSS and STEELS standards. A special thank you to Lauren Ondecko @EFSDWarriors and Jana Stahl @Avonworthschool! 💕

How can AI and emerging tech support curiosity and deeper thinking in the classroom? Learn how by joining the Tools Competition webinar on July 29 featuring Janet Coffey (Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation) and 2026 winners FunKe Sense Lab, @NorillaLearning, and Lab-on-a-Book. 📅 July 29, 1-2 PM ET 🔗 Register here: form.fillout.com/t/dKa2W4cYH… #EdTech #AIinEducation

@NorillaLearning, a #ToolsCompetition winner, is an #AI-powered mixed reality platform that bridges physical and virtual environments and fosters scientific inquiry. Learn more: tools-competition.org/winner… The next #ToolsCompetition cycle will be announced in September!

We’re thrilled to share that NoRILLA has won a top prize in the Transform category at the global Tools Competition (tools-competition.org/) for our educational technology platform, selected from more than 1,400 projects worldwide! 🏆 Press release: hcii.cmu.edu/news/norilla-wi…

AI in action! K–5 STEM teacher Jana Stahl presented at Carnegie Mellon University with Nesra Yannier of Norilla on AI in education. At APC, the Norilla Table is in its second year—bringing hands-on STEM and engineering learning to life.

NoRILLA recently hosted an exciting AI/STEM workshop at Carnegie Mellon University! We were thrilled to hear from Jana Stahl, K-5 STEM Educator from @Avonworthschool. We were also excited to introduce BalanceShip to teach math, ratios, equalities, and proportional reasoning!

We’re honored and excited to be named one of eight finalists in this year’s global Tools Competition, in the Transform category of the Accelerating K–12 Learning track—alongside an inspiring group of innovators working to improve learning outcomes at scale. 🚀

Rowan Elementary School recently concluded its own version of the 2026 Winter Olympics — CIRC style! Students competed in teams to sharpen STEM skills such as coding and problem-solving during this creative, hands-on event. Creativity, Innovation and Research Center (CIRC) teachers Mrs. Kelsey Stauffer and Ms. Carrie Dillon put their own spin on six popular Olympic events: Alpine Skiing, Curling, Speed Skiing, Slope Style, Bobsledding and Ice Hockey. Student STEM athletes used coding to create Alpine and Speed Skiing runs with Indi and Finch robots while racing against the clock for speed and navigation accuracy. Curling challenged teams to program Ozobots in precise coding patterns to hit a target. In Slope Style, Sphero robots took on jumps and ramps in a free-flowing makerspace course. Teams also used makerspace materials to design and build their own bobsleds, putting them to the test in an energetic race across the NoRilla table. To wrap up the competition, students took center stage on the Active Floor for a unique motion-activated Ice Hockey experience. Rowan’s student Olympians had a fantastic time building STEM skills, collaborating with teammates and experiencing the excitement of learning through friendly competition! #SVProud

We were honored to give a talk at the National Academies of Sciences' "Collaborative for Advancing Science Teaching and Learning in K–12" about how AI can be thoughtfully integrated to strengthen teaching, spark curiosity, and elevate science learning for all students! 🚀🔬

It was so great to present with @annavblake and @MOndecko on "Using AI to Improve Inquiry-based STEAM Learning in the Classroom" at @TRETC2026! Thankful for a great partnership with @EFSDWarriors!

TRETC 2026 gave me a safe and thrilling space to learn about maker projects from Colleen to listening to students from South Fayette talk about science. I enjoyed sharing what my students have learned with @NorillaLearning and meeting the therapy dogs. Thank you TRETC always!

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy year! May 2026 bring lots of joy, peace, and kindness to all 🎄🎅✨

Pre-K had an exciting time using the Norilla Learning machine in technology class and did a fantastic job building their towers!

PreK got to experience the @NorillaLearning machine in technology class. They did a great job creating their towers. @NesraYannier

Kindergarteners at Ehrman Crest Elementary School are exploring engineering and design using the NoRILLA table, an innovative learning tool that bridges the physical and virtual worlds to enhance STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education. Our elementary engineers recently learned structural concepts like height and stability by building towers and testing them on the table’s shaking platform. After reading “The Three Little Pigs,” students created their own houses and put them through an “earthquake” stimulated by the NoRILLA table to see which structures could withstand the big bad wolf’s huff and puff! They observed how their houses responded, analyzed why some designs were stronger than others and discussed improvements – building critical thinking and problem-solving skills along the way. With the assistance of a friendly virtual gorilla, NoRILLA provides engaging challenges that allow students to predict, observe and explain, just like real scientists. “The NoRILLA table will continue to support hands-on STEAM learning, including lessons on balance, force, motion and engineering design,” said Ms. Danielle Fagan, Ehrman Crest CIRC teacher. “These activities foster curiosity, collaboration and creativity, helping students develop a strong foundation in science and math through play-based learning.” Seneca Valley elementary schools received the NoRILLA table as part of a district initiative to bring cutting-edge STEM resources into classrooms. #SVProud

Happy Thanksgiving to all! We’re thankful for our incredible partner educators, whose dedication makes a difference every day and helps bring the joy of science to kids! 🧡🍁🦃

Support from the National Science Foundation allows CMU researchers to work at the forefront of discovery and innovation. Across a broad range of disciplines, our research makes an impact in labs and in classrooms. Explore @NSF-funded projects at CMU: cmu.edu/research-office/rese…