Using shark teeth to teach Florida students about AI, UF educators showcase their methods at conference

As AI becomes more prevalent in Florida classrooms, there is a growing need for students and educators to understand how to thoughtfully and responsibly use the technology. In recognition of National AI Literacy Day, the University of Florida College of Education is hosting a two-day conference on March 26 and 27 at Norman Hall to highlight research solutions that will help schools throughout the state successfully incorporate AI tools into the curriculum. 

One project that exemplifies how to do this is SharkAI — a concept launched in 2022 and led by UF researchers, with funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation. The flexible, five-module SharkAI curriculum encourages students to use machine learning in ways that mirror real scientific practice. Each module is standards-aligned, allowing teachers to incorporate the material into existing middle school science lessons.

“AI is much more than chatbots,” said Pasha Antonenko, Ph.D., a professor of educational technology and co-principal investigator for SharkAI, who is coordinating the UF conference. “Scientists currently use AI in many ways through tools like computer vision to classify species, identify artifacts and assist with sorting visual data in an efficient way. As they engage with the curriculum, students experience that this identification and sorting doesn’t need to be done by humans. We can use AI tools so humans can focus on more important scientific work.”

While a research project involving shark fossils, AI and middle schoolers sounds like the premise of a summer sci-fi movie, each element was intentionally developed to help students understand both the benefits and limitations of technologies that are shaping today’s workforce. Sharks, for example, were selected because of the substantial variability between species, their familiarity to Florida students and the natural curiosity they inspire. Training a machine learning model becomes much more engaging when students can hold real shark teeth in their hands.

The first module introduces AI and the idea of “community science” — how non-professionals contribute observations or assistance to specific projects in ways that expand knowledge for everyone. A second module focuses on shark tooth classification and data collection, drawing on earth science, biology, computer science and paleontology. Later modules ask students to use real fossils and 3D-printed replicas to train machine learning models, then design their own computer vision models. Another module focuses specifically on bias and limitations in machine learning datasets, helping students engage with AI through a responsible and ethical framework.

“It is really important that we carefully and intentionally onboard students to understand what artificial intelligence is and how it can impact them,” said Jeremy Waisome, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the UF Department of Engineering Education and co-principal investigator for SharkAI, who will be speaking at the UF AI conference. “We want students to have a meaningful experience with it to support their development of self-efficacy with this technology.”

To further that goal, a weeklong professional development program allows in-service teachers to work through the SharkAI curriculum while expanding their own understanding of fundamental machine learning concepts. These sessions have brought dozens of teachers to UF each summer for the past three years, and the SharkAI team has continued refining the curriculum based on teacher feedback.

The project also encourages participating teachers to request a classroom visit through the Scientist in Every Florida School, or SEFS, program. A Thompson Earth Systems Institute initiative at UF, SEFS matches scientists with Florida K-12 public schools to introduce students to STEM role models and hands-on learning experiences. Waisome has facilitated a class visit through SEFS to explain AI’s connection with engineering design and how it relates to what the students are learning in the SharkAI modules.

“Working with teachers and equipping them with accurate knowledge and language, while addressing some of the fears that come with the use of artificial intelligence, are all areas where UF can play a significant role going forward,” Waisome said.

For more information on the AI conference at UF, click here.