Artificial Intelligence is rapidly reshaping science, engineering, and society. Science classrooms need approaches that help students understand the science behind AI, how it is used in STEM, and how it can support their learning. In this full-day professional learning institute (PLI), participants will explore emerging AI standards and how the problem-based storyline curricular units can anchor AI learning in meaningful ways that support equitable participation.

During the session, participants will engage with a set of three units: Sensor Immersion, Self-Driving Cars, and Animal Prosthetics. In this three-unit progression, students use Micro:bit sensors to investigate real world problems. They explore meaningful AI concepts including the shift from decision trees to probabilistic neural networks, the important role of training data, how AI makes predictions, and the ethical implications of AI. Participants will get hands-on experience with how it feels to participate in a unit from the student perspective, allowing participants to understand how the units leverage students' own questions to support coherence and sensemaking.

TAKEAWAYS:
- A deeper understanding of problem-based, storyline units as an instructional model that supports coherence from the student perspective. - Firsthand experience with three curricular units focused on AI mechanics and societal impact. [ Strategies for both helping students figure out how AI works and teaching with AI tools. - Practical approaches to leveraging AI responsibly to support sensemaking and student engagement.

SPEAKERS:
Greg Benedis-Grab, Kate Henson

Buckle up for an energy-packed look into Rocks vs Big Rigs.

Welcome to Class CrunchLabs (CCL), a completely free, NGSS-designed (phenomena and problem-based) curriculum resource composed of short, modular units packed with videos, activities, googly eyes, and serious science sensemaking.

In this session, we’ll join YouTuber Mark Rober and his unit co-hosts as they navigate the Rocks vs Big Rigs storyline [MS-PS3-1 & MS-PS3-5]. We’ll explore how to lead classroom investigations designed by the CrunchLabs toy engineers, teach with interactive video assessments, track student progress using Mission Logs (student portfolios) and reflection activities, plus more.

Curious about teacher and student supports? Our curriculum writers will host these discussions firsthand and answer your questions. We’ll also explore how to customize the curriculum to fit your classroom, all while keeping our eyes on the ultimate goal: sparking student curiosity and boosting creative confidence. Of course, we'll engage in plenty of purposeful play, which may or may not include your very own mini-rigs, ramps, and a gravel bed that may surprise you.

Please Note: Mark Rober will not attend this session, but he may share a video message for early adopters. Don't miss out

TAKEAWAYS:
--Gain a clear understanding of how to implement CCL's NGSS-designed, phenomenon-based science units and promote sensemaking through hands-on investigations into kinetic energy. --Explore effective strategies for using CCL's interactive video assessments, Mission Logs (student portfolios), and reflection activities to track and support student progress. --Discover ways to customize and adapt this playful, engaging curriculum to spark student curiosity and build creative confidence in your classroom.