As one travels from the suburbs to the city, it’s common to notice a striking contrast: the lush tree canopy of suburban areas often gives way to towering skyscrapers. This observation piqued the curiosity of students from the New England Innovation Academy.
“Victoria, a friend of ours, pointed out that in Marlborough, where we reside, we have plenty of trees in our backyards. Yet, just a 30-minute drive to Boston reveals a stark lack of trees,” remarked high school junior Ileana Fournier. “This duality left a lasting impression on us.”
Driven by this realization, Fournier, along with classmates Victoria Leeth and Jessie Magenyi, developed a mobile app to highlight deforestation trends in Massachusetts. Their project was showcased during the Day of AI, a collaborative initiative spearheaded by the MIT Responsible AI for Social Empowerment and Education (RAISE) program, which operates within the MIT Media Lab in partnership with the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing and MIT Open Learning. They were part of a larger group of 20 students from the academy who presented innovative projects during the 2024 global celebration of Day of AI, hosted in conjunction with the Museum of Science.
Now in its third year, the Day of AI curriculum immerses K-12 students in the world of artificial intelligence. This program empowers students to address community challenges and engage with global issues through the lens of AI. The TreeSavers app crafted by Fournier, Leeth, and Magenyi integrates seamlessly into the Telling Climate Stories with Data module, part of four new lessons focused on climate change.
“We aim to encourage students to express themselves creatively and employ AI in their problem-solving endeavors,” stated Cynthia Breazeal, director of MIT RAISE, dean for digital learning at MIT Open Learning, and professor of media arts and sciences at MIT, during this year’s Day of AI celebration. “Our goal is to cultivate an ethical and responsible mindset when working with this powerful and exhilarating technology.”
Shifting from Insight to Action
The Day of AI program encourages students to explore the intersection of AI with diverse fields, including history, civics, computer science, mathematics, and environmental science. With year-round access to the curriculum, over 10,000 educators across 114 countries have already integrated Day of AI activities into their classrooms and homes.
This approach empowers students to assess local issues and devise meaningful solutions. “We’re focused on creating tools that give students direct access to data, allowing them to relate their learning to real-life experiences,” explained Robert Parks, an MIT RAISE curriculum developer, at the global celebration.
Prior to this year, first-year student Jeremie Kwapong had limited knowledge about AI. “I was genuinely intrigued,” he shared. “I started experimenting with ChatGPT to explore its capabilities. Can AI replicate human emotions? How does its knowledge compare to that of a human?”
In addition to igniting interest in AI literacy among students, educators worldwide have expressed a desire to use data science to foster discussions around climate change. In response, the new hands-on projects from Day of AI employ weather patterns and climate data to demonstrate the importance of understanding data design and collection as students observe their environment.
“There’s often a disconnect between cause and effect in our everyday lives,” noted Parks. “Our objective is to demystify this relationship, enabling students to access data and understand the long-term implications of their findings.”
Utilizing tools like MIT App Inventor, which enables users to create mobile applications effortlessly, students can glean valuable insights from data. The TreeSavers app developed by Fournier, Leeth, and Magenyi tracks regional deforestation across Massachusetts, identifies trends through statistical models, and forecasts environmental consequences. Their work transforms the concept of long-term climate impacts into an interactive experience, allowing users to navigate between current tree cover, historical data, and future high-risk zones.
While AI may offer quick answers, it doesn’t always guarantee equitable solutions, cautioned David Sittenfeld, director of the Center for the Environment at the Museum of Science. The Day of AI curriculum encourages students to make informed decisions regarding data sourcing, ensure unbiased data, and consider the implications of their findings.
“There’s an ethical dimension to tracking personal data,” remarked student Ethan Jorda from New England Innovation Academy. His team developed an app using open-source data to assist users in monitoring and reducing their carbon footprint.
Christine Cunningham, senior vice president of STEM Learning at the Museum of Science, believes in students’ ability to use AI for positive change. “They can envision themselves as agents of transformation within their communities,” Cunningham commented. “By progressing from understanding to action, children will never look at a bridge or a piece of trash in the same way again.”
Building Collaborations for a Sustainable Future
This year’s Day of AI discussions highlighted the importance of collaborative problem-solving at local, national, and global levels.
“By integrating diverse ideas and perspectives, we can improve our solutions,” articulated Cunningham. “How do we ensure every child understands the world around them and feels empowered to shape the future?”
This question was approached by presenters from MIT, the Museum of Science, and NASA, all united by a common mission—expanding STEM education to individuals of all ages and backgrounds.
“Collaborating with the MIT RAISE team to bring this year’s Day of AI celebration to the Museum of Science has been a joy,” stated Meg Rosenburg, manager of operations at the Museum of Science Centers for Public Science Learning. “Highlighting the new climate modules aligns perfectly with the museum’s aim to promote climate awareness and proactive engagement throughout our Year of the Earthshot initiative.”
Rachel Connolly, systems integration and analysis lead for NASA’s Science Activation Program, exemplified the power of collaboration, referencing the evolution of our understanding of Saturn—from Galileo’s early observations to modern imaging from the Cassini space probe—showcasing 400 years of advancements in science, technology, and mathematics.
“Technologies and the engineers behind them propel the inquiries we can pursue and, consequently, the knowledge we can gain,” Connolly affirmed, serving as a research scientist at the MIT Media Lab.
Students at the New England Innovation Academy identified local opportunities for collaboration as well. Emmett Buck-Thompson, Jeff Cheng, and Max Hunt envisioned a social media app that connects volunteers with local charities. This project was inspired by Buck-Thompson’s father’s struggle to find volunteer opportunities, Hunt’s role as president of the school’s Community Impact Club, and Cheng’s desire to reduce social media screen time. Utilizing MIT App Inventor, their combined vision led to a prototype that could significantly impact their community.
The Day of AI curriculum delves into the mechanics of AI, explores ethical considerations and responsible applications, and illustrates its interdisciplinary relevance. It empowers students to emerge as creative problem solvers while actively engaging in their communities, both online and offline. From fostering volunteer initiatives to championing the preservation of local forests and addressing global climate challenges, today’s learners are set to become tomorrow’s trailblazers through Day of AI.
“Our aim is to empower you to use this tool to enhance your community and benefit those around you with this technology,” concluded Breazeal.
Other notable speakers at the Day of AI event included Tim Ritchie, president of the Museum of Science; Michael Lawrence Evans, program director of the Boston Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics; Dava Newman, director of the MIT Media Lab; and Natalie Lao, executive director of the App Inventor Foundation.
Photo credit & article inspired by: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
