Friday, March 7, 2025
8:30 am - 12:30 pm HST
At the Hanahau‘oli School Professional Development Center, located at 1922 Makiki Street, Honolulu, HI 96822
$45 per person; Scholarships available! Inquire here.
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.
WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES
Participants will:
Understand foundational AI concepts and their practical applications in education.
Explore and practice using AI tools to create engaging, meaningful lessons for students aged 9–13.
Collaborate with peers to design context-specific AI-enhanced learning activities.
Reflect on the ethical and practical considerations of integrating AI tools into classroom teaching.
WORKSHOP AGENDA
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 passionate about user-centered solutions. She is a UX partner at StratMinds VC, collaborating closely with early-stage AI startups. 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. Currently, she is exploring AI in education, piloting programs with 4th and 5th graders to foster business ideas and boost reading comprehension. This hands-on approach offers practical insights into how AI can transform teaching and learning. Summer Kim LinkedIn
THIS WORKSHOP IS DESIGNED FOR
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.