March 28, 2025, marks a nationwide initiative aimed at examining the core question,”What is AI?” through collective exploration and discussion.
Teacher Resources
How AI Works: Introduction
What is AI?
AI (Artificial Intelligence) is a branch of computer science focused on creating machines that can think, learn, and make decisions like humans. It powers everyday tools like voice assistants, recommendation systems, and self-driving cars.
What is AI Literacy?
AI literacy means understanding how AI works, how it impacts our lives, and how we can use it responsibly. It’s not just for computer scientists—everyone should learn how AI influences the world.
Why is AI Literacy Important?
- AI is everywhere! From TikTok recommendations to self-driving cars, AI is shaping our future.
- Learning AI fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and digital citizenship.
- Understanding AI helps students make informed and ethical decisions in a technology-driven world.
What is National AI Literacy Day?
National AI Literacy Day is a one-day event dedicated to helping students explore AI through hands-on activities, discussions, and interactive lessons. This year, it takes place on Friday, March 28, 2025. Teachers can choose 10, 20, or 60-minute activities tailored for different grade levels.
AI Literacy Activities by Gradespans
How to Use This Choice Board:
Pick an activity based on your students’ grade level and the time you have!
Under 30 minutes
Grades 3-5: AI or Not? Explore what makes something artificial intelligence! In this hands-on sorting activity, students will classify technologies as AI or not AI, uncover key AI characteristics, and build a shared definition of AI. Try it here.
Grades 6-8: What Is AI? Introduce students to artificial intelligence, how it works, and its potential benefits and drawbacks. In just 15 minutes, explore what makes generative AI unique and reflect on its impact on society.
Explore the lesson here.
Grades 6-8: Understanding AI Bias Discover how AI bias happens when artificial intelligence learns from real-world data that may be incomplete or unfair. In this 20-minute lesson, students will analyze training data, identify bias, and explore ways to make AI more fair. Explore the lesson here.
60 MINUTES
Grades 3-5: Dance Party: AI Edition! Use AI to choreograph a virtual dance party with today’s top artists! Explore AI concepts while coding dance moves and creating a show-stopping performance. Try it here.
Grades 6-8: Train an AI to Clean the Ocean! Use AI for Oceans to teach an AI model to recognize fish and remove trash. Discover how machine learning works and explore the impact of bias in AI! Try it here.
Grades 9-12: Create an AI Code of Ethics! Explore how AI impacts society by researching real-world examples of AI bias, privacy, and decision-making. Work in teams to design an AI Code of Ethics, ensuring AI is used fairly and responsibly!
Try it here.
Looking for more comprehensive lessons? Check out the International Society for Technology and Education’s AI lesson guides for Elementary, Secondary, Elective, and Computer science teachers as well as an AI Ethics Guide.
videos to watch
- How AI Works: Introduction
- How AI Works: What is Machine Learning?
- Prompt: What’s an example of AI either in your personal life or that you’ve seen in a movie or book?
- How AI Works: Training Data & Bias
- Prompt: How does learning about human bias in machine learning change your thoughts on AI?
- How AI Works: How Neural Networks Work
- Prompt: Why is it important to have a diverse set of data when creating a recommendation system?
- How AI Works: How Computer Vision Works
- Prompt: How would you summarize how a computer “sees” something in an image?
- How AI Works: How Chatbots and Large Language Models Work
- Prompt: Is a Large Language Model “intelligent”? Explain your answer using evidence from the video.
- How AI Works: Does AI Have Creativity & Imagination?
- Prompt: Can AI be creative? Explain your answer using evidence from the video.
- How AI Works: Ethics & AI: Equal Access & Algorithmic Bias
- Prompt: How would you describe “AI ethics” to a family member or friend?
- How AI Works: Ethics & AI: Privacy & the Future of Work
- Prompt: How does AI change your thoughts on your future work and careers?
Games to Try
- QUICK DRAW: Can AI Recognize Your Doodles? Help train a neural network by adding your drawings to the world’s largest doodling dataset! Your sketches will contribute to machine learning research and improve AI recognition.
Try it here. - FOOD MOOD: AI-Powered Recipe Fusion! Get inspired for your next meal by using Google AI to blend flavors from two different cuisines, creating unique and delicious recipes. Try it here.
- SAY WHAT YOU SEE: Master Image Prompting with AI! Learn how to craft effective image prompts with the help of Google AI, and explore the power of AI-generated visuals. Try it here.
- ODD ONE OUT: Spot the AI Imposter! Test your detective skills by identifying AI-generated artworks hidden among real masterpieces on Google Arts & Culture. Can you find the odd one out? Try it here.
See all Santa Cruz County Office of Education’s AI Resources