Chalk and Code

In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Theron Davis sits down with Dr. Victor Winter, professor of computer science at the University of Nebraska Omaha and founder of BrickLayer. Bricklayer is a nonprofit educational platform that teaches coding, math, and computational thinking through art—using virtual bricks inspired by LEGO and Minecraft.

From his early work at Sandia National Laboratories to building an education platform that blends creativity with computational rigor, Victor shares how his journey has been driven by a single question: How can we make programming more human, engaging, and fun? He unpacks how visual learning builds durable skills, why mistakes should be embraced as part of the process, and how AI will amplify—not replace—human creativity in the classroom.

If you’ve ever wondered how coding can become a medium for expression rather than just a technical skill, this conversation is a must-listen.

02:15 From National Labs to Academia

06:40 Why Traditional Coding Languages Don’t Align with Human Thinking

10:18 The Birth of Bricklayer: Coding as Art

15:25 Visual Learning as a Pathway into STEM

20:42 Students Doing “10x the Work” When Given Creative Freedom

26:30 Reducing Teacher Fear with Block-Based Programming

30:55 Why Motivation, Not Information, Is the Real Bottleneck in Education

37:12 How Public School Standards Slow Innovation

44:20 Reframing Mistakes as Learning Opportunities

51:05 Generative AI as the “Magic Wand” for Human Creativity

57:48 Preparing the Next Generation for an AI-Driven Future

This episode challenges assumptions about what computer science education should look like.

You’ll hear how Dr. Victor Winter transforms coding into a creative medium that motivates students, develops spatial reasoning, and builds the confidence to learn from mistakes. Whether you’re an educator, parent, or technologist, his approach shows how art can be the gateway to STEM—and why coding needs to be reimagined for today’s learners.

Victor also shares:

If this conversation sparked a new idea or challenged your assumptions, share this episode with a colleague and subscribe for more thoughtful discussions at the intersection of learning, leadership, and educational technology.

Join us next time on Chalk and Code, where the science of learning meets modern technology.