Learning about AI in the Elementary Classroom: A Hands-On Project

 

September 15, 2025

Interactive exercises help make artificial intelligence (AI) much easier to understand. In Project 2: Training Data and Machine Learning from Hands-On AI Projects for the Classroom: A Guide for Elementary Teachers, students in grades K–5 explore AI concepts using picture cards to organize and sort data (Black & Brooks-Young, 2020, p. 20). Students can use the cards to demonstrate how AI "learns" from datasets, giving concepts like data and algorithms a more real and approachable form.

Learning important terms like algorithm, bias, and dataset is the first step in the project (pp. 20–21). Next, in order to mimic how AI organizes information, students group picture cards into categories and subcategories. They then make sure that all cases are included and that everything that doesn't belong is eliminated in order to check for bias (pp. 24–25). In order to illustrate how AI systems learn from organized information, students lastly develop rules for adding new data. These tasks teach fundamental AI ideas while developing problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork abilities.

 

This experiment shows that AI may be applied across subjects and understood at an elementary level. Google's Quick, Draw! is used in Activity 2 to demonstrate how AI can identify patterns, offering a real-world illustration of machine learning in action (p. 24).In addition, students understand the value of data organization and verifiying skills that extend beyond AI courses. All things considered, the project develops cognitive thinking and reasoning abilities while providing an interesting, practical introduction to AI.