The Rotary Club of Edina will welcome Dr. AnnMarie Thomas as program speaker at the Thursday, March 8, meeting. Thomas is an associate professor in the School of Engineering and Schulze School of Entrepreneurship at the University of St. Thomas. She is also the director of the Playful Learning Lab. She will speak about "Playing to Learn." 
Dr. AnnMarie Thomas works (and plays) to empower, support and inspire today's innovators, engineers and inventors, as well as those of tomorrow. A seasoned maker, tinkerer and educator, Thomas heads the Playful Learning Lab at the University of St. Thomas. Her her research group explores how to integrate joy into learning and working as they partner with an eclectic network of collaborators that include a diverse group of global brands; world-famous artists, rock stars, and dancers; star chefs; and even preschoolers!

An Associate Professor of engineering and entrepreneurship at the University of St. Thomas, Thomas is the co-founder and former director of the Center for Engineering Education. She has also served as Founding Executive Director of the Maker Education Initiative, a non-profit organization that helps educators and institutions cultivate engaging learning experiences that let youth and children be makers.
 
Thomas is the author of Making Makers: Kids, Tools, and the Future of Innovation and currently teaches classes on machine design, product design and PK-12 engineering. One of her newest projects is co-creating the new educational initiative, OK Go Sandbox with the popular band OK Go.
 
The Rotary Club of Edina meets at 12:15 p.m. Thursdays at the Edina Country Club. All are welcome. Cost for lunch and the program is $20 for adults, $12 for children. Cash, check and credit card payments are accepted.