Grades 9-12

Machine learning, algorithm bias, coding

Teacher Resources

Artificial Intelligence is an activity developed by Learning Undefeated to help students explore the machine learning and the applications of artificial intelligence.

Artificial intelligence is a method of making a computer think like a human mind.  This means that it studies data, finds patterns, and problem-solves.  The key here is that a computer alone can follow directions very easily, but it often doesn’t have the capability to write and follow its own directions for a specific goal.

Artificial intelligence can be applied in a variety of fields including video games, banking, and health care.  The Department of Defense uses AI for programs like unmanned vehicles and even augmented visual systems.  The Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) is an augmented reality headset that uses sensors for low-light and thermal night vision to create a mixed-reality interface for a soldier.  With enough image recognition, the system can help identify terrain and mark targets.  These systems will most likely make their way to the commercial sphere in the field of VR/AR headsets.  With more data to identify terrain or even hand positions, we might find that controllers for these headsets are no longer necessary.

In this activity, students will learn what it means for a computer to be intelligent and how AI software uses data to identify different things.

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to

  • Students will understand and define what artificial intelligence is
  • Students will collect data to understand how algorithmic bias can affect the capabilities of AI
  • Students will implement AI in a coded game/tool
Standards Alignments + Connections

Computer Science Teachers Association Standards Connections

3A-AP-16: Design and iteratively develop computational artifacts for practical intent, personal expression, or to address a societal issue by using events to initiate instructions.

3A-IC-25: Test and refine computational artifacts to reduce bias and equity deficits.

3B-AP-08: Describe how artificial intelligence drives many software and physical systems.

Maryland Computer Science Standards Connections

12.AP.A.01: describe how artificial intelligence drives many software and physical systems (e.g., autonomous robots, computer vision, pattern recognition, test analysis).

10.IC.C.02: evaluate and refine computational artifacts to reduce bias and equity deficits

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills Connections

AR.8A: use coding languages and proper syntax

AR.8E: create algorithms for evaluating a condition and performing an appropriate action using decisions

Virginia Computer Science Standards of Learning Connections

CSF.15: The student will design and implement algorithms using a. sequencing of instructions; b. conditional execution; and c. iteration.

CSF.25: The student will explain the privacy concerns related to the collection and generation of data through automated processes that are not always evident to users.

Activities to Gather Evidence

Pre-Laboratory Engagement

Pre-Laboratory Engagement

Have students read the following articles and discuss artificial intelligence, its uses, and how it will shape the future.

Applications of Artificial Intelligence Across Various Industries (Forbes)

Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humans (Pew Research Center)

Why ‘the future of AI is the future of work’

Conversation Starters:

  • What are ways you interact with AI on a day-to-day basis?
  • How will things change as AI grows?  Do you think these changes will be for the better?
  • What industries currently utilize AI and what industries could be using AI?

Activity

Laboratory Activity

Artificial intelligence (AI) may sound like something from a science fiction movie, but it’s actually something you probably interact with more than you think.  When you talk to a voice assistant like Siri, Alexa, or Google, you’re communicating with AI.  The suggestions for shows and movies that you see on Netflix and Youtube are all generated by AI.  When you use a chatbot on a website for customer service, those responses are all generated by AI.

 

Artificial intelligence is a method of making a computer think like a human mind.  This means that it studies data, finds patterns, and problem-solves.  The key here is that a computer alone can follow directions very easily, but it often doesn’t have the capability to write and follow its own directions for a specific goal.  For example, Shakey the Robot was the first mobile robot able to do things with a purpose instead of being given a list of instructions.  When the operator told the robot to push a block off the platform, Shakey could look around, identify the platform with a block on it, and locate a ramp in order to reach the platform. Shakey could then push the ramp over to the platform, roll up the ramp onto the platform, and push the block off the platform.  Though this looks like a set of directions it was completely generated by Shakey based on the visual data it acquired and interpreted.

 

Artificial intelligence can be applied in a variety of fields including video games, banking, and health care.  The Department of Defense uses AI for programs like unmanned vehicles and even augmented visual systems.  The Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) is an augmented reality headset that uses sensors for low-light and thermal night vision to create a mixed reality interface for a soldier.  With enough image recognition, the system can help identify terrain and mark targets.  These systems will most likely make their way to the commercial sphere in the field of VR/AR headsets.  With more data to identify terrain or even hand positions, we might find that controllers for these headsets are no longer necessary.

 

Our activity utilizes Mblock for the coding section of our activity.  This is a free downloadable or online block coding platform.  If you’d like to use the same activity in Scratch, you can access the Red Light, Green Light game here.

Post-Laboratory Extension

Post-Laboratory Extension

Have students explore the ethics of AI and how algorithmic biases can lead to discrimination.

Have students review the following articles and videos, then debate whether facial recognition and facial analysis software should be used by government entities, like law enforcement.

 

Additional Resources

Dancing with AI

A middle school project-based curriculum about making interactive, movement-focused AI systems.

AI + Ethics Curriculum for Middle School Students

Through a series of lessons and activities, students learn technical concepts—such as how to train a simple classifier—and the ethical implications those technical concepts entail, such as algorithmic bias.

Computer Science 4 Fun

Explore how computer science is also about people, solving puzzles, creativity, changing the future and, especially having fun.

AI Ethics by Verizon Innovative Learning

This two-lesson plan has students learn how to make sense of conflicting viewpoints from credible sources and how ethics relates to artificial intelligence.