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# LEGO-Based Research Stations
This New Research Center Will Focus on Play in Education and Learning

By Katherine Pendrill | Published 2015-08-05 | Lifestyle
Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-research-center
References: [psfk](http://www.psfk.com/2015/08/cambridge-university-lego-research-center-lego-foundation.html) & [legofoundation](http://www.legofoundation.com/)

[Cambridge University](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portioniq) is set to open a new research center that will use [LEGO](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lego-9) to study the role of play in education, learning and development. Thus far, research has proven that play is crucial to our personal development. This new collaboration between Cambridge University and LEGO aims to take this research to the next level by using the popular toy as a tool of study.

The new program will be called the 'Research Centre on Play in Education' and it will boast a qualified LEGO professor. The role of the LEGO professor is to make communities stronger by ensuring that the value of play is well understood and embraced. The new research center hopes to achieve its goal by using the toy as a tool for testing and examining the multifaceted role of play in our lives.

## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter)

- Score: 2.2/10
- Popularity: 36% | Activity: 22% | Freshness: 8%
- Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women
- Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X
- Top markets: Europe

## Categories

[Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Health](https://www.trendhunter.com/health)

## Key Themes

### Key Themes Behind This Trend

- **Play-based Education:** There is an opportunity for education sector to incorporate play-based learning in their curriculum using LEGO.
- **Toy-based Research:** Exploring the potential of using toys as tools for research can lead to innovative learning and development.
- **Multi-disciplinary Play Studies:** Collaboration between different fields such as education, psychology, design and engineering in studying play can bring about disruptive insights.

### Where This Applies

- **Education:** Education sector can incorporate play-based learning in their curriculum using LEGO to provide a more effective and engaging learning experience.
- **Toy Manufacturing:** Toy manufacturers can explore the potential of toys as tools for research to create products that promote creativity, critical thinking and innovation.
- **Research Institutions:** Research institutions can collaborate with toy manufacturers to develop innovative methods of studying play and its impacts on development and learning.

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