#CSEducationWeek: AI4ALL Alumni Stories
This CS Education Week we want to celebrate the impact of AI4ALL alumni on the world. AI4ALL programs and alumni have introduced over 7,750 students to AI & CS education. AI4ALL and CS Education Week are both about recognizing the impact students make when given the knowledge, tools, and access to succeed. Read on to meet the AI4ALL Changemakers in AI who are actively shaping the future of AI, and get a bird’s eye view of our newest program, AI4ALL Open Learning, in action in classrooms around the US.
Ria D, Stanford AI4ALL 2018
Ria had her first experience with AI as a student in the 2018 Stanford AI4ALL Summer Program. The program had a profound impact, both on her belief in her coding and technological abilities, and on her confidence that a career in tech is a path that she can pursue. After leaving the program, Ria wanted to inspire more girls like herself to pursue careers in AI and tech fields. One year later, The Code Detectives was born, a series of novels about two friends, Ramona and Lily, who use AI to solve mysteries in their hometown. “I appreciate all of your help in inspiring me to pursue AI; I truly couldn’t have done this without AI4ALL’s support.” Changemakers like Ria are already using their time with AI4ALL to positively impact the world, and we are so proud to support them on their journeys. Book One of The Code Detectives Series, The Code Con Crisis, is available now!
AI4ALL Open Learning — Stockton Unified School District
AI4ALL Open Learning is designed to be approachable to audiences of all skill levels and backgrounds, and Stockton Unified School District’s partnership embodies the AI4ALL name–it ensures that Open Learning is available “for all.” Initially slated to be introduced in a semester-long classroom setting, Mr. JD Cogmon, a Career Technical Education teacher at Weber Institute of Applied Sciences & Technology, felt that his students would be better served by an after-school program. The Open Learning Program was developed with facilitators in mind: it introduces the basic AI concepts while allowing for greater flexibility in how those concepts are taught and developed, and it allows facilitators to meet their students where they are. We are grateful to partner with schools and educators that understand the needs of their students, and ensure the Open Learning Program is effective in addressing those needs.
Lindsay B, UMD AI4ALL 2019
Lindsay had experience in computer science from her high school courses, but it wasn’t until after her time as a 2019 University of Maryland AI4ALL student that she developed an interest in machine learning. During the program, she and her fellow students created an algorithm to identify different types of trees in their environment. Wanting to continue her education after the program, she pursued and secured an internship with NASA, where she is using machine learning to create a model that identifies whether soil samples contain organic or inorganic matter. The goal is to embed this technology into instruments aboard rovers, which will use Lindsay’s algorithm to search for life on Mars.
AI4ALL Open Learning — Washington Leadership Academy
The Open Learning program thrives due to the commitment of its local facilitators, and at the Washington Leadership Academy in DC, computer science teacher Jordan Budisantoso has worked tirelessly to make the program as impactful as possible for his students. Jordan has been involved with Open Learning since the program’s infancy, offering feedback that has been invaluable in making the program relevant and approachable to the target age group. Jordan has also been instrumental in expanding the Open Learning model, offering the modules as a workshop series, while maintaining the integrity of the original curriculum. In the future, Jordan plans to offer Open Learning as a standalone class, with more time for students to complete their own projects. We are honored to work with educators like Jordan to make the promise of AI education a reality for all.
Emilio A, CMU AI4ALL 2019
Carnegie Mellon University AI4ALL 2018 alum Emilio wanted to learn more about how software can be used to solve societal problems. He pursued a research opportunity at the University of North Texas Health Science Center near his hometown of Fort Worth, Texas, where he worked with Dr. Hamed Hayatshahi and Dr. Jin Liu to write an algorithm that models protein behavior. By modeling proteins’ behavior in different environments, Emilio and his team make it possible for researchers to develop more targeted medicines. When patients are given more targeted medicines, they may experience fewer side effects and quicker healing. Emilio’s research has global implications for the treatment of certain diseases, such as melanoma, as well as for improving the entire process of scientific research. When given the opportunity to learn, AI4ALL alumni change the world. Emilio’s research paper, co-authored with the senior researchers from his team, is published in the Journal of Chemical Information and Modeling.
Tia J, Princeton AI4ALL 2019
Tia was inspired to join AI4ALL after taking her first AP Computer Science course and feeling the gender gap in CS education reflected in her own classroom. During Princeton AI4ALL Tia engaged with other women in the AI field, broadening her perception of women in AI, and strengthening her own perceived ability to thrive in the field. While attending Princeton AI4ALL, Tia also gained access to the knowledge and resources necessary to develop ai4sight, an app conceptualized while watching her uncle, a sufferer of a degenerative eye disease called Retinitis Pigmentosa, struggle to navigate her home during family visits. Employing a combination of machine learning techniques, ai4sight uses a cellphone’s camera and sensors to continuously scan the environment, relaying detailed information about the surroundings to a user via headset, and allowing for safer navigation of unknown terrain. Tia and her ai4sight co-founder (a fellow AI4ALL alum) are preparing to implement ai4sight Phase 2, which involves adding facial recognition and action description to the app’s functionality.
Anne L, StanfordAI4ALL 2017
Allgirlithm is an online community formed by Anne and two other Changemakers in AI that fosters community and empowers women to get involved in tech fields. Since inception Allgirlithm has directly impacted 2,500+ students, with over 60 chapters in 9 countries, through its AI Club curriculum. Developed by Anne and her co-founders, the curriculum is a 20-week program that introduces basic AI concepts, enabling any girl to start her own AI Club in her school or community. The AI Club curriculum is also adaptable for individual workshops or outreach events, and the materials are offered free to anyone interested in learning or sharing knowledge about AI in their community. The Allgirlithm site also functions as a resource hub for girls interested in tech, featuring regular blog articles about pressing issues in AI, and educational programs and opportunities for girls interested in expanding their AI knowledge and skills. Once given the tools, #ChangemakersinAI actively improve their worlds.
Taylor F, StanfordAI4ALL 2017
Finding access to tech education lacking in her hometown of Logan, UT, Taylor created Girls Explore Tech, a 7-week after-school workshop series introducing the fundamentals of coding to middle school girls in her town. Growing up Taylor was often the only girl in her STEM activities. While disheartened by her experience, it wasn’t until attending Stanford AI4ALL, and meeting girls like herself interested in AI fields, that Taylor realized she could enact change. Now in its third year, GET has directly impacted more than 60 girls, offering lectures, hands-on project experience, guest speakers, and peer-mentoring. The program is developed by Taylor in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Utah and culminates in a Teaching Experience, which allows students to reinforce what they learn by teaching the concepts to even younger girls. Taylor has also worked with Junior Achievement of Utah to further amplify her impact, directing a coding summer camp for the Girl Scouts of Utah, whose participants were the first to receive “Think Like a Programmer” badges in Utah. Taylor’s goal is to increase confidence and inspire the next generation of girls to pursue tech fields, particularly in places like her hometown, where access to AI is limited. For more information about Girls Explore Tech, check out Taylor’s guest post on the AI4ALL blog!
Ekanem O, StanfordAI4ALL 2018
Ekanem grew up in a family of engineers, but had never seriously considered coding or AI as a career until attending AI4ALL. The program opened her eyes to the potential of AI as a tool to solve real problems. Ekanem became intrigued by the interdisciplinary nature of AI, and how broad the field can be. Since AI4ALL Ekanem has emerged as a leader amongst her peers, speaking on behalf of UMich AI4ALL to influence other students to pursue AI, and sharing her experience as a Summer Program student. Wanting to expand her impact, Ekanem partnered with another AI4ALL alum to develop AI HQ, a repository of AI resources and opportunities for high school age students. We’re proud of the leader Ekanem has become, and are excited to see where she goes next.
About AI4ALL’s #CSEdWeek spotlight series
This #CSEdWeek post is part of a student spotlight series to highlight the impact of AI4ALL programs and alumni. We will be adding to the series with new posts and alumni stories. We know that AI will change the world. Follow us on Twitter to keep up with the series, and learn how our students are already changing AI.
