Making AI an Essential Topic in Your Classroom
BROUGHT TO YOU BY ISTE-GM AI EXPLORATIONS
Learning and teaching about Artificial Intelligence (AI) is often isolated to computer science or other specialized secondary classes. But with the increasing prevalence of AI, supporting students’ understanding of its influence on everyday life is more important than ever.
Join a panel of K-12 educators and leaders for a discussion of why teaching AI across subject areas and grade levels is essential and how to practically integrate it with content area standards.
You’ll also learn about:
- Examples of AI in daily life
- Creating equitable opportunities in this growing career field
- Supporting teachers and students to equitably participate in bias reduction
- Supporting teachers and student to critically evaluate AI-powered tools and their effects
- Concrete steps for bringing AI topics into your classroom

Date: Wednesday, August 12, 2020
Time: 3:00 pm PT / 6:00 pm ET
Duration: 1 hour
Meet Our Panelists
Host: Liana Gamber-Thompson
Digital Project and Operations Manager, EdSurge
Liana is part of the EdSurge Solutions Studio team. Previously, she was a researcher on youth and politics at USC, Community Manager at Connected Camps, and Program Associate at the National Writing Project. She is also a published author and holds a Ph.D. in Sociology.
Sarah Thomas
Regional Technology Coordinator, Prince George’s County Public Schools
Sarah Thomas, PhD is a Regional Technology Coordinator in Prince George’s County Public Schools. Sarah is also a Google Certified Innovator, Google Education Trainer, and founder of the EduMatch project, which promotes connection and collaboration among educators around the world. Through EduMatch, Sarah has published several collaborative and individual books, and serves as President on the Board of Directors for EduMatch Foundation, Inc. Sarah is also on the leadership team of the ISTE Digital Equity PLN, and Affiliate Faculty at Loyola University in Maryland. .
April DeGennaro
Teacher at Peeples Elementary School, Peachtree City, Georgia
Dr. April DeGennaro's SCREAM Lab introduces students to science innovation, CS, robotics, engineering design, artificial intelligence and advanced mathematics. She is the facilitator for Fayette County's first elementary Community for Creativity pilot at her school, a member of the Georgia Department of Education CS Advisory Board, part of the AI4K12 working group, and a member of the leadership team of ISTE's Learning Spaces Network.
Steven Jones
Instructional Technology Coordinator, STEAM specialist, and AI advocate
Using his own curriculum, Steven has taught a wide variety of STEAM classes and all of his students have participated in authentic learning experiences involving CAD, 3D printing, designing for accessibility, and artificial intelligence.
Mark Gerl
Middle Learning Technology Teacher, The Galloway School, Atlanta, GA
Mark is the Middle Learning Technology Teacher at The Galloway School in Atlanta, GA. He has taught coding, computer usage and design / engineering to all grades K-12 and was part of the first ISTE AI in The Classroom panel at the 2018 ISTE Conference.
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