Artificial Intelligence in Undergraduate STEM Education

Efficacy of Artificial Intelligence Applications in STEM Education

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been integrated into educational practices for some time, yet the emergence of generative AI has rapidly increased the impact of AI on education's trajectory, especially since the release of ChatGPT in November 2022. This development, along with subsequent generative AI technologies, has sparked interest among educators and students regarding the application of these tools, while also raising concerns about potential misuses. Generative AI refers to advanced AI systems capable of creating text, images, audio, video, and code by learning from vast datasets. When prompted by a user, these models generate unique responses by drawing upon patterns found in data processed training algorithms. Each generated output, although novel, is derived from the model's extensive analysis of its training data, reshaped into a response that aligns with the user's input. The rapid spread of generative AI has been extraordinary, surpassing the adoption rate of any previous technological advancement. The integration and utilization of generative AI tools are fast becoming a norm, with businesses and higher education institutions anticipating that students will be proficient in generative AI applications.

In this presentation the speaker will demystify AI, provide background on the different forms of AI including generative AI, and will cover current and potential applications of AI in the realm of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. The speaker will seek to elucidate what AI encompasses within STEM fields and to showcase faculty-driven examples of how AI has transformed traditional pedagogical assessments and facilitated the creation of new, AI-sensitive assignments. Some case studies where faculty members have successfully integrated AI into their curriculum will be discussed. These examples include the use of AI for customizing student assessments, providing real-time feedback, and creating dynamic assignment parameters that adapt to student performance, and content about AI that infuses AI into non-computing curricula. The speaker will discuss the use of AI-driven tools to complete some common tasks that you expect your students to do. Some examples of using AI tools will include explaining or illustrating an important course concept, selecting a good research question, solving a practice problem, or drafting code, creating multimedia presentations that explain key concepts.

Strategies for Incorporating Generative AI into Undergraduate STEM Teaching and Learning

The recent availability of generative AI chatbots such as ChatGPT has changed the way students can approach academics. In response, institutes of higher learning have developed statements meant to guide users of AI toward ethical and productive ends. An overarching concern on behalf of faculty is that AI will do things they would expect students to do on their own. In this workshop, we will learn about a framework for incorporating generative AI into undergraduate STEM teaching and learning. We will also examine student feedback on a college-level writing assignment in STEM that purposefully infused prompt engineering in ChatGPT. We will then collaborate to adapt and design assignments and assessments that incorporate student use of AI chatbots. Finally, we will gain actionable strategies for transforming STEM teaching and learning with this emerging technology.