Alabama Students Gear Up for the Age of AI!
At the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering (ASCTE), they're not just talking about the future – they're building it! ASCTE, the only high school in the U.S. laser-focused on weaving cyber tech and engineering into everything they do, is leading the charge in getting students ready for a world buzzing with artificial intelligence.
Forget passive learning! ASCTE dives deep with hands-on projects, required internships, and teachers who are certified pros and industry gurus. Students don't just learn about tech; they learn to think, solve, and conquer real-world challenges.
AI Smarts Spread Statewide!
And the best part? That brainpower is now reaching every corner of Alabama! The very first AI curriculum from the Alabama State Department of Education is hitting public high schools across the state. It's a roadmap showing how students can collaborate with AI, not be replaced by it.
A Curriculum That Learns as It Goes
Developed in partnership with the Alabama State Department of Education, this AI curriculum introduces students to core AI concepts, data science, the history of AI, current uses, and the ethical questions it raises. It all lines up with Alabama's tech standards and weaves in leadership, workplace readiness, and digital literacy.
"AI is here, and we have to get students ready," says Mary Clair Wright, cybersecurity instructor and instructional design whiz at ASCTE.
This curriculum is built to evolve. "We're building a curriculum for teachers who have to train on the fly," Wright explains. "It has to be a living document because this technology is changing every day."
To help teachers rock this, the course includes "node checks" – structured moments to make sure everyone is on the same page and tweak instruction if needed. "We tried to anticipate the questions teachers and students would struggle with, because we struggled with them too," Wright says.
Think, Don't Just Compute!
ASCTE emphasizes critical thinking and ethical smarts right alongside those technical skills.
"We get into the ethical considerations," Wright says. "We need everyone thinking critically about what AI can do, what it shouldn't do, and where to use it responsibly."
Students get hands-on with AI while also learning to question it. One of the first assignments asks students to research an AI pioneer using AI itself, and discover that the tech can sometimes be wrong or leave stuff out.
"I want students asking: Why is this person important? Why isn’t this other person included? That’s the critical thinking piece.â€
"If we can teach students the concerns and limitations of AI, maybe they won’t turn to it for everything," she adds.
Teachers Get Ready, Too!
ASCTE knows that students and teachers are both entering uncharted waters with AI. Professional development is key to rolling out this curriculum statewide, and Wright kicks off each session by openly discussing fears and challenges.
"We start with honesty. I ask: tell me what you hate about AI and what you’re afraid of," she says. "Teachers deserve space to express their concerns. This is a big change, and we need to navigate it together."
For students, the focus is on prepping for jobs that might not even exist yet, giving them the skills and mindset to adapt as the workforce changes.
"I can’t predict what students’ jobs will look like in five years," Wright says. "What I can do is teach them about the technology that will shape those jobs so they’re ready for the change. AI is here to stay. Some of the changes will be positive, some won’t, but our responsibility is to prepare students for all of it.â€
