Exploring the Transformative Potential of AI in Teaching Students Aged 9–13

Exploring the Transformative Potential of AI in Teaching Students Aged 9–13

Date: Monday, February 3, 2025

Time: 8:30 am - 12:30 pm HST

Location: Hanahau‘oli School Professional Development Center, located at 1922 Makiki Street, Honolulu, HI 96822

Cost: $75 per person

This workshop introduces educators to the transformative potential of AI in teaching students aged 9–13, a group often underserved in AI literacy despite growing up in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. Through an engaging, hands-on approach, participants will gain a foundational understanding of AI concepts and tools that align with progressive education goals while addressing the unique needs of upper elementary and middle school learners.

The workshop is led by Summer Kim, former Head of Research at tech companies such as Google, WhatsApp, and Roblox, and currently an AI and Product Industry Expert. Summer brings her deep industry experience and recent work in applying emergent AI innovations to education, providing educators with both practical tools and forward-looking strategies. In a recent initiative, Summer worked with 4th and 5th-grade students to explore how AI can spark creativity, develop entrepreneurial ideas, and improve reading and comprehension skills—an experience that shapes her unique approach to empowering educators.

Educators will explore practical strategies for integrating AI into their classrooms, focusing on ways to foster critical thinking, creativity, and meaningful engagement among students. Through collaborative activities, participants will design and discuss AI-enhanced learning experiences, gaining insights into how AI tools can amplify teaching effectiveness.

Additionally, the workshop provides a collaborative space for educators to reflect on the ethical and philosophical dimensions of teaching with AI. Discussions will cover topics such as equity, accessibility, and data privacy, empowering participants to confidently innovate while aligning AI integration with their educational values and goals.

This workshop is specifically tailored for educators working with upper elementary and middle school students (Grades 4–8). It is ideal for teachers across all disciplines, including language arts, STEM, social studies, general education, and creative subjects, who are interested in exploring innovative and practical ways to incorporate AI into their teaching.

Workshop Objectives: Participants will:

1. Understand foundational AI concepts and their practical applications in education.
2. Explore and practice using AI tools to create engaging, meaningful lessons for students aged 9–13.
3. Collaborate with peers to design context-specific AI-enhanced learning activities.
4. Reflect on the ethical and practical considerations of integrating AI tools into classroom teaching.

Workshop Agenda: 4 hours long

8:30 AM – 8:45 AM: Welcome and Icebreaker

Activity: “AI in Everyday Life” – Sharing personal/professional encounters with AI.

Overview of objectives and agenda.

8:45 AM – 9:45 AM: Foundations of AI and AI + Education

Understanding AI Fundamentals: Key concepts and myths about AI.

AI in Education: Applications, benefits, and challenges of AI integration.

Group Discussion: Educators reflect on classroom opportunities for AI.

9:45 AM – 10:15 AM: Hands-On with AI Tools for Educators

Participants explore pre-selected AI tools and brainstorm classroom applications.

10:15 AM – 10:30 AM: Break

10:30 AM – 11:15 AM: Designing AI-Enhanced Learning Experiences

Group activity: Develop lesson plans incorporating AI tools with facilitator support.

11:15 AM – 11:45 AM: Ethics, Philosophy, and Practical Considerations

Presentation: Ethical implications, equity, and data privacy.

Group Discussion: Aligning AI integration with educational values.

11:45 AM – 12:15 PM: Sharing and Feedback

Groups share their AI-enhanced lesson ideas and receive peer feedback.

12:15 PM – 12:30 PM: Reflection and Next Steps

Participants identify key takeaways and draft action plans for integrating AI into their teaching.

About the Facilitator:

Summer Kim is an experienced research and product leader with a deep passion for creating meaningful, user-centered solutions. She is a UX partner at StratMinds VC, a San Francisco-based firm focused on applied AI, where she also supports early-stage AI startups through their Acceleration Program. Summer has built and led high-impact research organizations at Google, WhatsApp/Meta, and Roblox, helping these platforms better understand and meet the needs of their users. Her work has been instrumental in improving user experiences for millions globally. Recently, Summer has been exploring the intersection of AI and education, running a pilot program with 4th and 5th-grade students to investigate how AI can be used as a tool to help students develop business ideas and enhance reading and comprehension skills. This hands-on experience informs her work with educators, offering practical insights into how AI can empower teaching and learning. With a collaborative approach and a commitment to practical, actionable insights, Summer is excited to guide educators in exploring the transformative potential of AI in their teaching practices.

Host or Publisher Hanahau'oli School Professional Development Center