Many children are naturally curious about sharks — particularly their sharp and plentiful teeth. Our group decided to leverage the allure of these captivating top predators to educate others on how researchers utilize artificial intelligence.
We are researchers in AI literacy and STEM education who aided in developing a set of lessons utilizing fossilized shark teeth to illustrate both the strengths and weaknesses of artificial intelligence. .
The curriculum leads middle school students and educators through constructing and assessing computer vision models capable of accurately categorizing fossilized shark teeth. Computer vision represents a form of artificial intelligence that employs algorithms along with extensive visual data for object classification and recognition. It serves as the same tech that powers Google Lens to identify plant species in photographs or self-driving cars To identify individuals, vehicles, and bikes.
Our free Shark AI curriculum consists of five modules that align with national and state science education standards. These guidelines specify essential knowledge and abilities for students at every grade level. The lessons aim to foster students' engagement in areas like artificial intelligence, data science, and paleontology. nature of science .
Shark AI aims to demonstrate that proficiency in artificial intelligence doesn’t require a background in computer science. It believes every teacher has both the capability and responsibility to educate students about AI so as to smoothly incorporate this technology into primary and secondary school curriculums.
Teaching science with AI
AI is already transforming our lives at a dizzying pace.
To help prepare kids to live and work in an AI world, it is important for them to learn about the technology in school. Most of The resources at hand for instructing AI are plentiful. in K-12 classrooms focus on the technology As a consequence, these courses might be available solely through specialized classes like computer science and engineering, potentially making them inaccessible to every student across all educational institutions.
The systematic incorporation of artificial intelligence into education is still quite novel, leading to numerous challenges. teacher preparation programs are only starting to integrate it. There is a requirement for professional development resources for educators currently teaching in schools to gain knowledge about AI.
Our research shows Science educators hold numerous assumptions regarding artificial intelligence. . Additionally, many teachers are worried regarding instructing topics they lack substantial hands-on exposure to. About half of teachers informed Education Week In a survey indicating that "they're uneasy about AI technology," this implies they are not likely to incorporate AI lessons into their densely packed syllabus.
Sorting sharks’ teeth
To demystify this new subject matter, the curriculum begins by presenting different forms of artificial intelligence like natural language processing, automatic speech recognition, and computer vision. Afterward, students engage with fossil kits that include 15 genuine fossilized shark teeth along with a single 3D-printed replica of a megalodon tooth. Megalodons were behemoth sharks These creatures swam the oceans beginning 20 million years ago and have since become extinct. Pupils categorize the teeth however they choose—based on factors like size, hue, or form. Following this, they discover how experts usually organize fossils and attempt classifying the teeth according to both the type of shark and their diet.
After this, students use Google Teachable Machine , an open-source, web-based resource that leverages the strength of TensorFlow.js A machine learning model trained using millions of images that develops its own computer vision system for classifying fossilized shark teeth. The information utilized includes photos taken from actual teeth samples in their possession or images uploaded from repositories like the The digital archive of paleobiology at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History or iDigBio .
The models sometimes inaccurately categorize teeth, offering teachers a chance to engage in discussions about this issue. challenges and constraints associated with computer vision , like the significance of training AI on numerous high-quality and varied images.
The final component of the Shark AI curriculum involves students developing, presenting, and debating their own computer vision models.
During these activities, students gain knowledge about AI ideas like the advantages and disadvantages of artificial intelligence versus human intellect, alongside paleontology topics such as the fossil record Or the knowledge that can be gained regarding Earth's life history through fossil examination.
Instructors can adjust the activities, reorder the sequence, and allocate varying amounts of time to different parts of the curriculum as per their preferences. This adaptability enables them to emphasize elements that best align with their teaching objectives and requirements.
We conduct a comprehensive five-day training workshop to equip educators with the skills needed for using Shark AI effectively. During this program, instructors gain insight into the applications of artificial intelligence within scientific fields. Additionally, participants get hands-on experience performing tasks from the course material, ensuring ample opportunity for dialogue aimed at clarifying technological concepts.
A key aspect of the training involves establishing a community among the educators. Throughout the year, they get chances to connect, share ideas, and solve problems collaboratively.
The members of the Shark AI team regularly check in with individual educators to offer tailored assistance, often addressing issues related to Google Teachable Machine. Educators come together as a collective roughly every couple of months to foster a sense of community.
Using these support systems, we've discovered that educators can alter their perceptions and convictions regarding artificial intelligence, feeling both at ease and ready to tackle it. teach science with AI methods.
This piece has been republished from The Conversation , a non-profit, independent news agency providing you with factual and reliable insights to help navigate our intricate world. It was authored by: Christine Wusylko , University of Florida and Pavlo Antonenko , University of FloridaRead more:
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Christine Wusylko is employed by the University of Florida and obtains financial support from the NSF.
Pavlo Antonenko is employed by the University of Florida and obtains financial support from the NSF.