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IntegrateAI: Integrating AI Learning into Middle School Science through Natural Language Processing

Project IntegrateAI seeks to engage learners in authentic, inquiry-driven projects to investigate scientific questions using natural language data. • For students, we engage them in innovative Natural Language Processing (NLP) learning experiences to foster their knowledge and skills in NLP and science, improve their attitudes toward STEM careers (interest, identity, and intention to persist), and enhance their ethical reasoning. • For teachers, we assist them in developing AI learning competencies and enable them to feel prepared to integrate authentic, inquiry-based NLP experiences into their science classrooms. We have developed a novel platform for integrating NLP in middle-school science classrooms. Both teachers and students found the platform engaging and interactive. We developed an NLP+Science curriculum with nine middle-school science teachers during professional development workshops. We conducted classroom studies with 146 students in middle-school science classrooms in Florida and Indiana. We have published on this work and presented at major conferences such as ICLS, SIGCSE, and the International Conference of the Learning Sciences.

Pillar 1: Innovative Use of Technologies in Learning and Teaching

Natural language data is everywhere: news articles, social media posts, YouTube transcripts, TikTok comments, and more. Large amounts of this data are related to scientific phenomena such as weather, health and diseases, engineering, and conservation. Our project leverages the power of artificial intelligence to process huge amounts of data in fractions of a second. This powerful field of artificial intelligence is called Natural Language Processing (NLP), and our project is applying it to middle-school science teaching

Pillar 2: Partnerships for Career and Workforce Preparation.

The Integrate AI Project is a partnership among the University of Florida, North Carolina State University, and Indiana University, carrying out a participatory co-design effort with teachers to develop an NLP+Science curriculum for middle-school students. This curriculum will increase students’ knowledge and interest in STEM and ICT careers.

Pillar 3: Strategies for Equity in STEM Education

The research team will provide potentially transformative experiences to 12 teachers and over 1,000 students, leveraging existing partnerships within a multi-district, two-state effort in Florida and Indiana in diverse schools with approximately 50% African-American students and the majority of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch.
Chart showing inputs, AI learning experiences, and student and teacher outcomes
Discipline(s)
Environmental sciences
Emerging Tech (Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, and Blockchain)
Target Gradespan(s)
Middle school (6-8)
Target Participant(s)
Youth / students
Educators
Project Setting(s)
Formal Education
Category
Developing and Testing Innovations (DTI)
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2024 ONLINE PROGRAM

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