AI in STEM Education - Understanding, applying, coding
Description
In recent years, technological developments in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) have accelerated significantly, with far-reaching consequences for our society, the economy, and the education system. Therefore, addressing this topic in STEM education is important, allowing students to understand the technology better, engage with its applications, and explore the use of AI.
For the project “AI in STEM Education”, teachers from Portugal, Türkiye, Germany and the United Kingdom have compiled a wealth of ideas and resources, presenting their innovative concepts as digital teaching and learning material. The five teaching units offer tools, methods as well as project and cooperation ideas for integrating the complex topic of AI and machine learning into the classroom. They are suited for teachers with and without previous experience in the subject and provide activities and resources for all school types, from primary to secondary education.
The material is freely available on the website of Science on Stage Europe and can be translated into other languages with the help of most modern web browsers: https://www.science-on-stage.eu/ai-stem-education
Along with the publication of the materials, Science on Stage has launched a Europe-wide competition for students and teachers from all types of schools: The AI in STEM Challenge. It invites students and teachers to get creative and develop their own projects involving AI. The call for applications is open until 23 February 2025. The teams with the ten best ideas will be invited to Berlin, Germany, for the final in June 2025: https://www.science-on-stage.eu/ai-stem-challenge
The project and the challenge were initiated by Science on Stage Germany and are supported by the other members of Science on Stage Europe.
Basic information
Coordinator
Partners
Supported by:
Programme
Other (programme-other)
Project Acronym
Target groups
primary school students, researchers, secondary school students, teachers, trainee teachers
Topic
Computer science, Information technology, Technology, Education, Other
Start year
2023
End year
2025
Contact person
Marika Philippsen, marika.philippsen@science-on-stage.de
In 2023, Science on Stage Germany launched the project "AI in STEM Education" to facilitate the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning into STEM curricula. This initiative was driven by the need to equip educators with the tools and knowledge required to address the rapidly evolving field of AI in their classrooms. An international team of project coordinators collaborated within the European Science on Stage network to identify innovative and effective teaching approaches. These promising pedagogical concepts were then systematically developed, tested and adapted by teachers from Türkiye, Portugal, Germany and the UK. Following this, they were translated into comprehensive teaching and learning units available in both English and German. The resulting material underwent rigorous review, proofreading, and revision by experienced teachers and volunteers from the Science on Stage network to ensure their educational relevance and practical applicability. The finalised resources were formally introduced at the European Science on Stage Festival in Turku in August 2024, providing educators with valuable, peer-reviewed resources to support the integration of AI into STEM education.
Papers
Developed and tested by teachers for teachers, the “AI in STEM Education” material offers tools and ideas that are ready to be used in your classroom. The five units can be applied by teachers with and without previous knowledge of AI and machine learning and provide activities and resources for all school types, from primary to secondary education. Here is what you will find in the material:
- First Steps with AI and Data Analysis: familiarises students aged ten and over with big data, machine learning and generative AI tools
- STEM Resources 4.0: allows students to create their own digital educational resources using AI and block-based programming
- Machine Learning at School: helps understanding and experimenting with artificial neural networks
- EcoKids Teach AI: Designed for primary school, this project uses a role-playing game and a VR environment to introduce simple programming tasks via the topic of recycling.
- Recycling Smart: This unit, for advanced secondary school students, provides instructions for programming and constructing an AI-supported recycling system.
Find it here: https://www.science-on-stage.eu/ai-stem-education
Alongside the publication of the material, Science on Stage has also initiated a Europe-wide competition for teachers and their students: The “AI in STEM Challenge” invites them to get creative and develop their own AI projects. Applications from all European primary and secondary STEM teachers or teachers in training with their students are welcome. You can apply online until the 23rd of February 2025 on the Science on Stage website. Learn more here: www.science-on-stage.eu/ai-stem-challenge