Build-a-Bot - Project Briefing
Program Type: Signature Workshop / Train-the-Trainer Program Website: bot101.app Workshop Kit: bot101.app/workshop-kit Facilitator Training (self-paced): workshop.bot101.app (slide videos with voiceover, interactive elements - for facilitator refresh) Owner: Reuben Thiessen Status: Active - Scaling through Facilitator Network
1. Project Overview
What It Is
Build-a-Bot is a hands-on professional development workshop where educators learn to design and build their own AI chatbots to support teaching and learning. The workshop guides participants through the full lifecycle of chatbot creation - from identifying a specific educational need to designing, building, and testing a working chatbot prototype.
The workshop uses a structured “Deconstruct → Design → Experiment” R&D framework:
- Deconstruct - Reverse-engineer an existing chatbot to understand how system prompts, personas, and workflows shape AI behavior. “Take it apart so you can put it back together the way you want.”
- Design - Identify a problem you want to address, define the chatbot’s role, persona, and constraints using block-based visual tools on bot101.app
- Experiment - Run rapid R&D cycles using “Experiment Cards” - make a hypothesis, test a prompt change, log results, decide to “commit or revert”
Throughout, participants use an R&D Lab Book to document their thinking and iterations, developing both a working chatbot AND a replicable process for future AI experimentation.
The Problem It Solves
Many educators are curious about AI chatbots but lack:
- Technical confidence - Unsure how to create a chatbot without coding
- Pedagogical framing - Struggle to connect AI capabilities to specific learning goals
- Safe experimentation space - Worried about AI hallucinations or inappropriate outputs
- Ownership - Using commercial tools (ChatGPT, etc.) without understanding how to customize
Build-a-Bot provides a scaffolded, educator-friendly environment where teachers can:
- Experience building AI from the “inside out” rather than as end users
- Create tools tailored to their specific classroom needs
- Develop critical AI literacy through hands-on making
- Take ownership of educational AI rather than being passive consumers
Who It Serves
Primary audiences include:
- K-12 educators - Teachers wanting to integrate AI into instruction
- Teacher educators - Faculty training the next generation of teachers
- School/district leaders - Administrators understanding AI capacity-building
- International educators - Teachers in diverse contexts (Palestine, Germany, Australia)
- Higher education faculty - Professors exploring AI-enhanced learning
- Policy stakeholders - Congressional staffers, foundations, education organizations
Key insight from strategic discussions (July 2025):
Isabelle Hau noted Build-a-Bot could support Victor Lee’s AI Literacy research agenda, positioning it as both professional development AND research methodology.
2. Origins & Early Development (2024)
The Beginning
Build-a-Bot evolved from earlier chatbot design work and professional development experiments at Stanford Accelerator for Learning. The project took shape in early 2024:
Early 2024: Initial concept development
- Reuben developed the chatbot design workshop format
- Collaboration with Cathy Chase on “Design-a-Chatbot” curriculum
- Built the bot101.app platform as a simplified chatbot builder
Aug-Sep 2024: Early workshop deliveries
- “Design-a-Chatbot Workshop” design sessions with Cathy Chase and Josh Weiss
- NHSA (National Head Start Association) session delivery
- Tim Oppenheim feedback: “I, and especially my boss Yasmina, loved your session”
- Led to request to replicate for internal staff retreat
Late 2024: Growing interest
- bot101.xyz migrated off Heroku (technical debt cleared)
- Workshop kit materials developed
- International interest emerging
3. Key People
Internal Team
| Person | Role | Involvement |
|---|---|---|
| Reuben Thiessen | Emerging Technology Lead, SAL | Creator, platform developer, lead facilitator, facilitator trainer |
| Josh Weiss | Director, Accelerator Studio | Strategic partner, co-designer, high-level partnership lead |
| Joe Sherman | Digital Media Lead, Accelerator Studio | Collaborator on documentation and media |
| Jessica Ann (Nguyen) | Former SAL (left Oct 2025) | Early Build-a-Bot deployments, Germany workshops |
| Cathy Chase | Senior Research Scholar | Curriculum design collaborator, “Design-a-Chatbot” workshop co-creator |
Strategic Stakeholders
| Person | Organization | Role in Build-a-Bot |
|---|---|---|
| Isabelle Hau | SAL Executive Director | Strategic direction, expansion pathway discussions |
| Victor Lee | Faculty Lead, AI & Education | Potential research partnership for AI Literacy |
Trained/Training Facilitators
| Person | Organization | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Cat Nostrand | Clackamas ESD (Oregon) | Active - Presenting at NCCE Feb 2026 |
| April Nelms | University of North Georgia | Trained Aug 2025 |
| Alayne Flores | San Diego Community College District | Trained - Delivered workshop Jun 2025 |
| Sandra Bauer | Teacher Trainer (Düsseldorf, Germany) | Trained Mar 2025 - Adapting for German context |
| Andy Hock | 4J Schools (Eugene, Oregon) | Exploring - Planning CTE conference session |
Key Partnerships Explored
| Person | Organization | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Anoo Padte & Max Fritz | Microsoft | Met Dec 17, 2025 about Build-a-Bot/ABCs integration |
| ISTE | International Society for Technology in Education | Certification pathway discussions (2025) |
| Marily Oppezzo & Michele Patel | Stanford Prevention Research Center | Health Coach Bot adaptation |
| Kenji Ikemoto | Stanford Academic Technology | Self-paced Canvas assignment adaptation |
4. Reuben’s Role & Contributions
Primary Responsibilities
- Platform Development - Built and maintains bot101.app
- Workshop Design - Created curriculum, facilitation guide, and materials
- Facilitator Training - Trains external facilitators to run workshops independently
- Partnership Cultivation - Lead contact for Build-a-Bot partnerships
- Technical Support - Troubleshooting platform issues, user support
Specific Contributions
Technical/Platform:
- Built bot101.app as accessible, no-code chatbot builder
- Created bot sharing gallery feature
- Developed “Remix Bot” functionality for learning from examples
- Migrated platform from Heroku (bot101.xyz → bot101.app)
- Ongoing security and feature development
Curriculum/Materials:
- Chatbot Design Worksheet (printable)
- Session 1: Design phase curriculum
- Facilitator scripts with timing
- Workshop kit at workshop.bot101.app
- Google Drive resource folder
Workshop Delivery:
- SXSWedu (March 2025) - Public audience
- Stanford AI+Education Showcase (2025)
- Walton Foundation stakeholders
- Board of Advisors
- House Education Committee Staffers (Q4 2025) - Notable policy reach
- Multiple educator PD sessions
Facilitator Training:
- Developed facilitator training program
- Trained 4+ external facilitators
- Providing ongoing support (e.g., Cat Nostrand NCCE prep)
Related Projects Built on Build-a-Bot
| Project | URL | Description |
|---|---|---|
| ABCs of How We Learn | bot101.app/abcs | Learning science chatbots based on Dan Schwartz’s book |
| Health Coach Bot | coach.bot101.app | Adaptation for health behavior change (with Marily Oppezzo & Michele Patel) |
5. Timeline
2024
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Feb 2024 | Build-a-Bot concept development begins |
| Aug 2024 | “Design-a-Chatbot Workshop” curriculum collaboration with Cathy Chase |
| Sep 2024 | NHSA workshop delivery - first external request to replicate |
| Late 2024 | Platform migration, workshop kit development |
2025
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Feb 2025 | Sandra Bauer (Germany) reaches out - international interest |
| Feb-Mar 2025 | Lista Lincoln and Maureen partnership explorations |
| Mar 2025 | SXSWedu delivery - Major public showcase |
| Mar 2025 | Sandra Bauer workshop adaptation (Germany) |
| Apr-Jun 2025 | Multiple workshop deliveries, AI+Education Showcase |
| May-Jun 2025 | ISTE Build-a-Bot Certification discussions |
| Jun 2025 | Cat Nostrand initial exploration for NCCE |
| Jun 2025 | Alayne Flores workshop feedback - successful pilot |
| Jun 2025 | Shannon workshop follow-up about knowledge bases |
| Jun 2025 | Reuben writes to Isabelle Hau about strategic direction |
| Jul 2025 | Isabelle convenes meeting with Victor Lee - strategic planning |
| Jul 2025 | Kenji Ikemoto Canvas self-paced adaptation discussions |
| Jul 2025 | Reuben prepares Build-a-Bot Expansion Pathways document |
| Aug 2025 | Facilitator Training Program launches - April Nelms, Cat Nostrand |
| Sep 2025 | Josh introduces Reem (Palestine) to Build-a-Bot |
| Oct 2025 | Jess departs SAL - some Build-a-Bot responsibilities shift |
| Nov 2025 | Dan Schwartz reviews ABCs bots - positive feedback |
| Q4 2025 | House Education Committee Staffers workshop delivery |
| Dec 2025 | Anoo Padte & Max Fritz (Microsoft) meeting about Build-a-Bot/ABCs |
| Dec 2025 | Andy Hock (Oregon) re-engages - planning conference session |
2026
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Jan 2026 | Health Coach Bot prototype shared with Marily Oppezzo & Michele Patel |
| Jan 2026 | Cat Nostrand bot101.app issues - security adjustment needed |
| Feb 2026 | NCCE Conference (Seattle) - Cat Nostrand presenting |
| Q1 2026 | Build-a-Bot scaling as key GPS goal priority |
6. Current Status
Overall Status: Active - Facilitator Network Scaling
Build-a-Bot has moved from direct delivery to a train-the-trainer model, with multiple facilitators now capable of running workshops independently.
Scaling Approaches (from GPS Goals)
Three scaling methods targeted by August 2026:
- Self-service - Workshop kit at bot101.app/workshop-kit
- Trained facilitators - External facilitators running workshops (supported by workshop.bot101.app for refresh)
- Online/async - Canvas integration (Kenji collaboration), and potentially workshop.bot101.app as public self-paced option
Active Work
| Track | Status | Next Steps |
|---|---|---|
| Facilitator Support | Ongoing | Support Cat Nostrand for NCCE; check in with Andy Hock |
| Health Coach Bot | On Hold | Ball in Marily/Michele’s court re: research questions |
| ABCs of How We Learn | Needs Follow-up | Follow up with Microsoft (Anoo Padte & Max Fritz) |
| Canvas Integration | Paused | Kenji collaboration - self-paced module |
| ISTE Certification | Exploring | Potential integration with ISTE AI Certification pathway |
Platform Status (bot101.app)
- ✅ Core functionality working
- ✅ Bot gallery and sharing - 1000+ bots (up from 378 in July 2025)
- ✅ “Remix Bot” feature
- ✅ Experiment Cards integrated into interface (Jan 2026) - good re-engagement hook
- ✅ System prompt history - track iterations over time
- ✅ Download system prompt as markdown - easy export for documentation
- ⚠️ Recent security tightening caused issues (fixed Jan 2026)
- 🔄 Ongoing maintenance and feature development
7. Artifacts
Web Properties
| Asset | URL | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Main Platform | bot101.app | Chatbot builder tool |
| Workshop Kit | bot101.app/workshop-kit | Facilitator resources and materials |
| Facilitator Training | workshop.bot101.app | Self-paced online version with slide videos + voiceover (for facilitator refresh, not public) |
| ABCs Learning Bots | bot101.app/abcs | Learning science chatbots |
| Health Coach Bot | coach.bot101.app | Healthcare adaptation prototype |
Key Documents
| Document | Location |
|---|---|
| One-Pager (July 2025) | projects/build-a-bot/Build-a-Bot One-Pager [07-12-25].md |
| Workshop Presentation Template | projects/build-a-bot/[Template] Build-a-Bot Workshop Presentation (1).txt |
| Experiment Cards (Print) | projects/build-a-bot/Build-a-Bot Experiment Cards [Print Double-Sided].txt |
| Facilitator CRM | projects/build-a-bot/facilitator-crm.md |
| Workshop Kit (Google Drive) | bit.ly/build-a-bot-workshop-kit |
| Digital R&D Lab Book | bit.ly/digital-lab-book |
| Build-a-Bot Expansion Pathways | Google Doc - Jul 2025 |
| Project Tracker | projects/partnerships-projects.md - “Build-a-Bot Projects” section |
Interest Form Data (CSVs)
| File | Contents |
|---|---|
Build-a-Bot Workshop Pilot Project - Interest Form |
Main interest form (~40 responses) |
Alpha Participants - Sheet1 |
Outreach tracking for alpha participants |
Facilitator Kick-off RSVP |
Mar 2025 kick-off session attendance |
DirectEd Post-Workshop Interest |
Educator-focused interest form |
Industry Post-Workshop Interest |
Industry/nonprofit interest form |
Build-a-Bot Facilitator Workshops Conducted |
Confirmed workshop deliveries |
People Profiles
people/cat-nostrand.md- Trained facilitator, NCCE presenterpeople/jessica-nguyen.md- Former SAL, early BaB workpeople/marily-oppezzo.md- Health Coach Bot collaboratorpeople/michele-patel.md- Health Coach Bot collaboratorpeople/christine-bywater.md- Crystal Springs PD connection
8. Tags
Based on the 20-tag system from the Accelerator Studio handbook:
Primary Tags
| Tag | Why It Applies |
|---|---|
| [MULTIPLIER] | Core mission is training facilitators to run independently |
| [LEVEL-UP] | Clear capability transformation - educators become AI builders |
| [TOOLBOX] | Providing concrete tool (bot101.app) educators can use |
Secondary Tags
| Tag | Context |
|---|---|
| [BRIDGE-BUILD] | Connecting educators to AI capabilities, Microsoft partnership |
| [RIPPLE] | International adoption (Germany, Palestine, Australia) |
| [THOUGHT-PARTNER] | Strategic discussions with Isabelle, Victor |
| [ADVISE] | Consulting on chatbot design with researchers/faculty |
| [SCALE-MOMENT] | Watch for: ISTE certification adoption, Canvas integration |
Tag Trajectory
Typical progression for Build-a-Bot engagements:
- [SPARK] - Initial interest/introduction
- [LEVEL-UP] - Participant completes workshop, builds first bot
- [TOOLBOX] - Ongoing use of bot101.app
- [MULTIPLIER] - Trained to facilitate for others
- [RIPPLE] - Organic spread to their networks
9. Impact & Outcomes
Quantitative Metrics (from One-Pager, July 2025)
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Workshop Deliveries | 20+ | In last 12 months |
| Bots Published to Gallery | 378 | Diverse: tutor bots, parenting help, teacher support, career |
| Trained Facilitators | 30+ | Across 4 train-the-trainer sessions |
| Workshop Alumni Interested | 150+ | From AI Show/SXSWedu who want to conduct |
| Countries with Facilitators | 3+ | USA, Germany, potentially Australia |
| Facilitator-led Workshops | 5+ | May/June 2025, 100+ people reached |
| Major Audiences Reached | 6+ | Educators, Walton, Board, SXSWedu, NHSA, Congress |
| Spin-off Projects | 2 | ABCs of How We Learn, Health Coach Bot |
Key Conference Moments:
- ASU/GSV AI Show - Most popular workshop at conference, 130+ people per session (standing room only), 2024 & 2025
- SXSWedu 2025 - Conference’s most popular workshop, at capacity with 100 participants + 50 waiting in hallway
Qualitative Impact
From Workshop Participants (via feedback forms):
“This was/is one of the most influential workshops I have been to. My brain is absolutely buzzing with how I can use this to improve educators’ understanding of AI and how it works.”
“Loved both the way the workshop was run (deconstruct - design - experiment) and the intuitive build-a-bot tooling for prompt/agent creation!”
“Brilliant start to experience the power we have and the value of our unique experience & skills”
“Even in a short period of time, it was helpful to look ‘under the hood’ and was helpful in seeing how the design informed much more welcoming and deliberate iterations.”
“Well run, great use of storytelling; I feel empowered and energized; you’ve helped me tactically be able to put firm to some of the thoughts I’ve had through the conference. Thank you.”
From Tim Oppenheim (NHSA, Sep 2024):
“I, and especially my boss Yasmina, loved your session.”
From Dan Schwartz (Nov 2025, on ABCs bots):
“This is amazing! It did really well at handling all my questions, and I tried all sorts of prompts from asking it to make an example lesson to what are the risks. It got most of the answers right and where it was wrong, they weren’t fatal errors.”
From Andy Hock (Dec 2025):
“I still can’t stop thinking about the build a bot workshop at SXSW EDU and how cool the tool that you made is.”
Strategic Recognition
July 2025 - Isabelle Hau convened strategic meeting:
- Recognized “exciting momentum, with a strong pipeline of requests”
- Discussed connecting Build-a-Bot to Victor Lee’s AI Literacy research
- Explored strategic management of the demand
House Education Committee Staffers delivery:
- Reached policy stakeholders at federal level
- Positions Build-a-Bot as serious capacity-building tool
10. Strategic Positioning
Within SAL’s Mission
Build-a-Bot embodies key Accelerator Studio values:
- Capacity building > doing it for them - Educators build their own tools
- Serious Play - Hands-on making as professional development
- Multiplier effect - Train facilitators, don’t just deliver workshops
Connection to GPS Goals
Goal 3: Build Scalable Educator Capacity Programs
“By August 2026, I will have… transforming created programs (such as Build-a-Bot and other workshops) into repeatable, scalable systems, establishing at least 3 different scaling methods (self-service, trained facilitators, and online).”
Build-a-Bot is the primary example of this scaling work:
- ✅ Self-service: workshop.bot101.app
- ✅ Trained facilitators: Active network
- 🔄 Online: Canvas integration in progress
Relationship to AI Flash Lab
Build-a-Bot and AI Flash Lab are complementary offerings that form a natural progression:
| Build-a-Bot (Intro) | AI Flash Lab (Advanced) |
|---|---|
| Chatbot-focused | Broad AI solution space |
| “Build a bot” - single tool focus | “Build a solution with AI” - AI as partner |
| Technical skill-building | Design thinking + AI integration |
| Individual mastery | Team-based collaboration |
| 1-3 hours | 2-3 hours |
| “How do I build this?” | “What problem should we solve, and how might AI help?” |
Natural sequence: Build-a-Bot → AI Flash Lab → Independent building
Build-a-Bot provides a focused, concrete entry point - participants leave knowing how to make a chatbot. AI Flash Lab is broader: exploring how AI can be a partner in solving problems, where AI might be the core technology OR just one piece of a larger solution.
11. Open Questions & Risks
Questions to Resolve
- Research partnership - Will Victor Lee’s AI Literacy research formally incorporate Build-a-Bot?
- ISTE integration - What’s the status of certification pathway discussions?
- Canvas module - Is Kenji’s self-paced adaptation still in progress?
- Microsoft follow-up - What came out of the Dec 2025 meeting with Anoo Padte & Max Fritz?
- Health Coach Bot - What research questions are Marily and Michele exploring?
Risks to Monitor
| Risk | Mitigation |
|---|---|
| Platform maintenance burden | Document common issues; consider simplification |
| Facilitator quality control | Check-ins with trained facilitators; gather feedback |
| OpenAI API changes | Monitor for breaking changes; have fallback plan |
| Capacity for support requests | Prioritize train-the-trainer over direct delivery |
| Feature creep | Keep platform simple; resist adding complexity |
Technical Debt
- Recent security tightening broke some functionality (Jan 2026)
- Consider documentation of common troubleshooting steps
- Workshop kit may need updates as platform evolves
12. Next Steps for Q1 2026
Immediate Actions
- Support Cat Nostrand for NCCE presentation (Feb 27, 2026)
- Follow up with Microsoft (Anoo Padte & Max Fritz) on ABCs
- Check in with Andy Hock on his conference session plans
- Document platform troubleshooting for facilitators
Strategic Follow-ups
- Reconnect with Kenji Ikemoto on Canvas module status
- Clarify Health Coach Bot research direction with Marily/Michele
- Discuss ISTE certification pathway with Josh
Ongoing
- Monitor facilitator network - are they running workshops?
- Collect impact stories from facilitator-led workshops
- Platform maintenance and user support
Briefing prepared: January 29, 2026 Last updated: January 29, 2026
projects/briefings/build-a-bot.md