STEAM Project-Based Learning: Connecting AI, Science + ELA

Purpose & objective

Session will provide educators with access to a free online curriculum that includes a variety of supporting resources for both teachers and educators in a middle school level Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Coding course. The session will explore the curriculum with hands-on and interactive demonstrations of curriculum components such as student modules, activities

Participants will be able to explore middle school STEAM/AI/Coding student and teacher curriculum + resources freely available on www.verizon.com/learning

Participants will learn about a Project Based Learning STEAM/AI/Coding curriculum with embedded design thinking activities centered around principles of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Entrepreneurship

Participants will deep dive into a single project from the Artificial Intelligence + Robotics curriculum learning how to implement three different sustainability projects with low technology (free online digital tools only) and high technology choices (usage + implementation of micro:bit hardware)

Outline

Content and Activities:
Networking + PLC building: What do you bring to this community and what do you want to get out of this community gathering?
Overview of the Verizon Innovative Learning Lab Program + Curriculum managed by the Arizona State University J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute Youth Entrepreneurship Team
Hands-on Technology Stations: featuring Sphero RVR + micro:bits
Demo of Sphero EDU + RVR with free AI + Robotics (AIR) curriculum lesson plan
Demo of micro:bit + MakeCode with free AI + Robotics (AIR) curriculum lesson plan
Overview of Verizon.com/learning and resources available for curriculum related to presentation - Artificial Intelligence + Robotics
Hands-on walkthrough of AIR Activity and lesson plan using micro:bit + MakeCode
Wrap up + Reflection - share out how you might use these resources in your school or teaching + learning environment
Questions + Answers

Supporting research

“ Harlow and Hansen (2015) note that integrating makercentered learning activities into formal K-12 environments requires an understanding of how to (1) create activities that address learning standards which schools are accountable for, (2) provide activities for many students simultaneously, and (3) remain aligned with maker education goals. (Jones, 2020, p. 699)”

“To assist teachers in utilizing maker-centered learning activities, they must be provided learning experiences that contribute to the development of their own maker-mindsets as well as assist them in developing maker-centered learning experiences that align with their content areas and constraints of their environment. (Jones, 2020, p.716)”

Jones, W. Monty. “Teachers’ Perceptions of a Maker-Centered Professional Development Experience: a Multiple Case Study.” International Journal of Technology and Design Education, vol. 31, no. 4, 2020, pp. 697–721, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10798-020-09581-2.