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Grades K-2: Introduction to AI

This K-2 Introduction to AI course helps young learners understand AI through hands-on activities that build critical thinking and awareness of AI’s role in daily life.

Full-year course · 22 lessons · 1 unit

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • AI Literacy
  • Launch Pad
  • Year
  • Kindergarten
  • 1st grade
  • 2nd grade

Course Summary

This course introduces young learners to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence through fun, hands-on activities. Students explore concepts like perception, reasoning, machine learning, and social impact while thinking critically about AI’s role in their lives and communities. The course uses unplugged activities and interactive tools to make AI accessible and meaningful for early learners.

Course Outline

    1. Human Senses vs. Computer Sensors Learn how humans and robots sense the world and compare human senses with computer sensors like cameras and microphones.
    2. Going from Sensing to Perception Learn about the different sensors on computers, phones, robots, and other devices and how computers "see" and "hear" through sensors.
    3. Types of Perception Computers recognize objects and sounds by identifying features like color, shape, and texture, using sensors and AI to analyze their surroundings and assist in real-world tasks.
    4. Intelligent vs. Non-Intelligent Machines The difference between intelligent and non-intelligent machines.
    5. Types of Representations How maps use symbols to represent places and help both people and computers navigate, with AI using maps for tasks like guiding robots or protecting wildlife.
    6. Data Structure and Feature Vectors Computers use features like color, size, and shape to sort and organize objects efficiently.
    7. State Spaces and Operators Computers use decision trees to help them make the best choices and solve problems efficiently on the platform.
    8. Reasoning Identifying Problems Computers classify objects into groups and efficiently search for specific information.
    9. Reasoning Algorithms Algorithms are step-by-step instructions that help computers solve problems efficiently, like finding the fastest route for deliveries or organizing information.
    10. Human vs. Machines Computers recognize patterns from many examples, helping them solve problems like predicting weather or identifying objects in images.
    11. Approaches to Machine Learning Computers are trained using labeled examples to recognize patterns and improve their ability to identify objects, sounds, and other data in real-world applications.
    12. Data Sets Datasets help computers recognize and classify objects by identifying patterns in labeled examples, exploring why large and diverse datasets are essential for AI learning.
    13. How Computers Understand Our Words Computers understand language by following grammar rules, analyzing word order, and using context to determine meaning, helping AI tools like translators and voice assistants process human communication accurately.
    14. Reasoning About Text AI understands and uses verbs by following grammar rules, recognizing past and future tenses, and helping with tasks like grammar checks and language translation.
    15. Commonsense Reasoning AI uses commonsense reasoning by analyzing patterns in data to make educated guesses, unlike humans who rely on experience, and explore how teaching AI improves its decision-making abilities.
    16. Human-Robot Interaction- Understanding Emotion AI recognizes emotions by analyzing facial expressions, identifying patterns in features like smiles and frowns, and exploring how this technology helps robots interact with people in meaningful ways.
    17. Limitations of AI for Natural Interaction AI helps people by answering questions and completing tasks, but also has limitations, such as needing accurate data and lacking human emotions, highlighting why people still play a key role in decision-making.
    18. AI Ethics and Bias AI can be biased if it is trained on limited examples, why fairness in AI is important for schools and workplaces, and how testing and diverse data can help AI make better decisions.
    19. AI in Business and Industry AI is used in everyday life to help doctors diagnose illnesses, improve factory work, and speed up deliveries, making jobs easier and more efficient.
    20. AI in Education AI helps students learn by checking answers, teaching new skills, and personalizing lessons, while also assisting teachers in creating engaging and effective classroom experiences.
    21. AI in Technologies Impact Communities AI improves communities by managing traffic, sorting recycling, and conserving resources, making cities safer, more efficient, and environmentally friendly.
    22. AI in Everyday Life AI helps at home by powering smart speakers, robot vacuums, and virtual assistants, making daily tasks easier while still relying on people for instructions and learning.

Standard Alignment

State standards documents

Document Standards Grades
National
2022 Skill Struck Standards Alignment + Correlation Guide CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards · 2022 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Alabama
Alabama Course of Study Digital Literacy and CS Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Alabama Course of Study Digital Literacy and CS Standards K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Arizona
Arizona Computer Science Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Arizona Computer Science Standards K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
California
California K-12 CS Standards + Skill Struck Alignment California K-12 CS Standards K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Florida
Florida Introduction to Computer Science 1 + Skill Struck Alignment Florida Introduction to Computer Science 1 K-2
Georgia
Georgia Standards of Excellence for K-8 Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment Georgia Standards of Excellence for K-8 Computer Science K-2, 3-5, 6-8
Idaho
Idaho Content Standards Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment Idaho Content Standards Computer Science · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Illinois
Illinois Computer Science Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Illinois Computer Science Standards · 2022 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Indiana
Indiana K-12 Computer Science Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Indiana K-12 Computer Science Standards · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Iowa
Iowa Computer Science Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Iowa Computer Science Standards K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Kansas
Kansas CS Standards P-12 + Skill Struck Alignment Kansas CS Standards P-12 · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Kentucky
Kentucky Academic Standards for Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment Kentucky Academic Standards for Computer Science · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Maryland
Maryland K-12 CS Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Maryland K-12 CS Standards · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science Standards · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Michigan
Michigan K-12 Standards Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment Michigan K-12 Standards Computer Science · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Mississippi
Mississippi College and Career Readiness standards for Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment Mississippi College and Career Readiness standards for Computer Science · 2022 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Missouri
Missouri K-12 Computer Science Performance Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Missouri K-12 Computer Science Performance Standards · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Nebraska
Nebraska K-12 Technology Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Nebraska K-12 Technology Standards · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Nevada
Nevada Academic Content Standards for CS + Skill Struck Alignment Nevada Academic Content Standards for CS K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Nevada Academic Content Standards for Integrated Technology + Skill Struck Alignment Nevada Academic Content Standards for Integrated Technology K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
New Jersey
New Jersey Computer Science and Design Thinking Standards + Skill Struck Alignment New Jersey Computer Science and Design Thinking Standards · 2020 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
New York
New York Computer Science and Digital Fluency Learning Standards K-12 + Skill Struck Alignment New York Computer Science and Digital Fluency Learning Standards K-12 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
North Carolina
North Carolina K-12 CS Standards + Skill Struck Alignment North Carolina K-12 CS Standards K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Ohio
Ohio's Learning Standards Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment Ohio's Learning Standards Computer Science · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Academic Standards for Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment Oklahoma Academic Standards for Computer Science K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Rhode Island
Rhode Island's K-12 CS Education Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Rhode Island's K-12 CS Education Standards K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
South Carolina
South Carolina Computer Science and Digital Literacy Standards + Skill Struck Alignment South Carolina Computer Science and Digital Literacy Standards · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8
Tennessee
Tennessee K-12 Computer Science State Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Tennessee K-12 Computer Science State Standards · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Texas
TEKs Technology Applications K-8 Standards + Skill Struck Alignment TEKs Technology Applications K-8 Standards K-2, 3-5, 6-8
Utah
Utah K-5 CS Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Utah K-5 CS Standards K-2, 3-5
Virginia
Virginia K-12 CS Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Virginia K-12 CS Standards · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Washington
Washington K-12 CS State Learning Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Washington K-12 CS State Learning Standards K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Standards for Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment Wisconsin Standards for Computer Science · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Wyoming
Wyoming Computer Science Content Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Wyoming Computer Science Content Standards · 2020 K-2, 3-5, 6-8