2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Introduction: The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) into educational settings has become a powerful tool for engaging students and enhancing their learning experiences. To facilitate this integration, teachers require comprehensive training in these advanced topics. In response, we have developed a virtual professional development program for STEM educators across elementary and high school levels, where teachers take part in a 6-week virtual research experience focused on developing cost-effective health devices with machine learning (ML), with particular attention to diabetes and breast cancer. Teacher participants collaborate with graduate student mentors, engage in discussions with faculty members conducting relevant research, explore real datasets, and create grade-appropriate lesson plans. This paper focuses on the overall program design and the experiences of an elementary STEM teacher who participated in the program. Methods: Retrospective analysis of weekly reflective blog posts and interviews with the elementary teacher after the program served as our primary data sources to help us understand her experience in the program and how she was able to integrate machine-learning concepts into 3rd to 5th-grade classrooms. Results: The teacher successfully translated her acquired knowledge of ML into an engaging lesson for over 300 3rd to 5th-grade students that spanned four class periods. Discussion: Our findings indicate that introducing machine learning at younger educational levels is both feasible and beneficial. The virtual research experience provided educators with the essential knowledge and skills to incorporate these concepts into their classrooms. The program's collaborative environment, usage of real-time data, and the opportunity for teachers to create lessons based on their individual interests proved effective in making AI and ML concepts accessible and relevant for students. Conclusion: Providing targeted professional development to STEM teachers and empowering them with advanced knowledge can enhance student learning. Additionally, programs like this can cultivate a new generation of informed teachers and their students capable of leveraging technology to understand and address critical health issues.