AI & Me: Building AI Literacy for the Next Generation
An immersive 12-week journey where students learn AI literacy, connect their unique strengths to future career paths, and become creators in an AI-driven world.
Audience
Students aged 6-17 interested in learning about AI, its real-world applications, and its connection to their personal talents and future careers.
Role
Lead Instructor and Instructional Designer
The Problem
As AI becomes increasingly influential in various industries, young students often lack exposure to this transformative technology. Traditional curriculums don’t typically introduce AI literacy, leaving students unprepared to leverage its potential in future careers. This program addresses the gap by teaching students to become creators with AI rather than passive consumers.
Solution
The AI & Me program is a 12-week interactive course designed to introduce students to AI concepts in an engaging and age-appropriate way. Students explore how their unique strengths align with future AI-driven career paths using project-based learning and talent mapping. The course uses hands-on activities, games, and real-world examples to help students understand AI's role in their lives and the impact it will have on their future.
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Partner Voice
The Ark Academy, Sanford FL
Process
- Curriculum Design with AI Concepts: I structured the curriculum to make AI concepts accessible for younger learners, focusing on real-world applications such as virtual assistants and smart devices, all while showing students how AI will shape future career opportunities.
- TalentExplorer Integration: Students used the TalentExplorer tool to identify their top three talents. I then aligned these talents with AI-related careers, demonstrating how skills like problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration can lead to future roles in data science, robotics, and AI development.
- Interactive AI Learning in Google Classroom: Lessons were hosted in Google Classroom, offering a blend of videos, quizzes, and hands-on activities that allowed students to actively engage with AI concepts. Projects included building simple AI models and designing smart systems, making the learning process fun and applicable to real-world situations.
- Weekly Live Workshops: Weekly instructor-led workshops provided students with real-time interaction, enabling them to ask questions, collaborate with peers, and present their AI-based projects. These live sessions reinforced key AI concepts and helped build a strong sense of community.
- Project-Based Learning: Students were encouraged to create AI-driven projects, such as smart decision-making systems or AI models, using scratch-based tools. The projects allowed them to apply what they learned and envision their future roles as AI innovators.
- Pre- and Post-Assessments: Using Plickers, I implemented pre- and post-assessments to measure how students' understanding of AI evolved throughout the course. This ensured that the program taught core AI concepts and sparked an interest in AI as a career pathway.
Action Mapping
Each module was designed to help learners master key real estate strategies, with a focus on retention:
- AI Concepts: Introduced students to fundamental AI technologies.
- Talent Discovery: Students explored their strengths and connected them to future AI careers.
- Hands-on AI Projects: Students designed AI-driven solutions, applying their knowledge in fun, creative projects.
- Future Career Exploration: Focused on how AI-related careers could match the students’ talents and aspirations.