AI Made by Youth: A Conversational AI Curriculum for Middle School Summer Camps

As artificial intelligence permeates our lives through various tools and services, there is an increasing need to consider how teach young learners about AI in a relevant engaging way. One way do so leverage familiar pervasive technologies such as conversational AIs. By learning AIs, are introduced concepts computers’ perception of natural language, the for training datasets, design AI-human interactions. In this experience report, we describe summer camp curriculum designed middle school composed general lessons, unplugged activities, project activities which campers develop their own agents. The results show that fostered significant increases learners’ ability beliefs, willingness share experience, intent persist learning. We conclude with discussion can be used entry point K-12 education.