Exploring the future: AI Mini Academy introduces students to artificial intelligence

This summer, students from around Tennessee got a hands-on introduction to the exciting world of artificial intelligence at the A.I. Mini Academy. Hosted by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), the two-day program welcomed rising 7th to 9th graders with curious minds and no required experience.

Led by Oak Ridge High School Science Teacher Lauren Wilmoth, the program gave students a chance to explore what AI is, how it works, and how it’s already being used in daily life. Helping Dr. Wilmoth were two student assistants—Elena, a rising senior, and Harry, a rising sophomore—both former students of Dr. Wilmoth and members of their school’s robotics team.

The academy was filled with fun, creative, and thoughtful activities. On the first day, Dr. Wilmoth shared a quote by computer science researcher Oren Etzioni to set the tone: “AI is a tool. The choice is ours how it gets deployed.”. With that in mind, students delved into A.I. learning. 

One popular activity involved using AI to generate fun images. Students created prompts using templates like, “Draw an [animal] eating [food] while [doing a hobby] at the [location] with a [color] sky.” They loved watching the AI turn their ideas into digital art—one favorite example was a polar bear eating watermelon while rowing a boat on a mountain with a red sky.

The mini academy also included thoughtful discussion. Students were asked to think about how AI is used in schools and the ethics around utilizing it for various types of assignments. Around the room, posters described different use scenarios such as using AI to write essays or check homework. Students marked each one with a red or green dot, depending on whether they thought it was a good or bad use. This activity helped them think about both the benefits and possible risks of AI.

To show how AI can connect to the real world, students went on a nature walk and used AI tools to identify botany by the pond. It was a favorite moment for rising 8th grader Allison. “I liked the hands-on activities,” she said. “We used iPads to scan all of the plants, and it told us what kind of leaf, flower, or even tree bark it was.”

Alexey, a rising 9th grader from Chattanooga, enjoyed using prompts to generate AI art. “I want to go into computer science,” he shared. “This is a fun way to see what AI can do.”

The AI Mini Academy helped students understand that AI isn’t just something for the future, it’s already here. Through creative projects, meaningful conversations, and real-world examples, they got a glimpse of how AI can be used wisely—and how they, as students, might lead the way.

Learn more about ORISE STEM programs for K-12 students.