A new federal grant is setting the stage for expanded artificial intelligence and computer science education in Nevada classrooms, with a focus on supporting teachers and reaching students across the state.
The Desert Research Institute STEM Education Program has been awarded a $2.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education through the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education.
The four-year project is aimed at strengthening AI and computer science instruction in grades K through 12, particularly in rural Nevada.
The funding will support training and resources for undergraduate preservice educators as well as teachers already working in classrooms.
“To be competitive in the future, students need comprehensive instruction on AI and computer science,” said Emily McDonald-Williams, Project Director and Director of DRI’s STEM Education Program. “This grant allows us to provide educators with professional development training and to create enduring resources that educators across the country can access.”
DRI will work with the University of Nevada, Reno, to create an undergraduate internship program designed to give preservice and in-service teachers access to professional learning and applied classroom experiences. The collaboration will include newly developed curricula and related resources.
The two institutions also plan to develop virtual learning pathways leading to a State of Nevada Grades K through 12 Introductory Computer Science Education License Endorsement through UNR’s web campus.
As part of the project, DRI will develop an industry-recognized certification in AI and Computer Science Integrated Instruction. The certification is intended to expand opportunities for integrating AI and computer science skills into both preservice preparation and professional development for teachers already in classrooms.
Educators will also gain access to standards-aligned Green Boxes, which are self-contained teaching kits that include two or more weeks of lesson plans and all supplies needed to complete classroom activities. The kits will be paired with training modules to provide sustained support for teacher preparation programs.
Sixty Green Boxes covering six AI and computer science topics will be created for elementary, middle, and high school classrooms. Undergraduate UNR students will test the materials and provide feedback before the kits are distributed to schools.
The project will conclude with AI education summits in Las Vegas and Reno, bringing educators and stakeholders together for workshops, panel discussions, and hands-on learning.
Over the four-year grant period, nearly 1,000 teachers and more than 42,000 K through 12 students in Nevada are expected to benefit from the curriculum, materials, and professional development. After the grant ends, the resources are projected to reach up to 22,000 students and 240 teachers each year.
