Thanks to everyone who came to my 2026 AI Literacy with Young Learners workshop at this year’s Educators Conference!
Robots and computers perceive the world quite differently from people, and this is an essential understanding for young students beginning to learn about AI.
In this workshop, we explored how fundamental AI concepts can be made tangible for young learners through hands-on robotics experiences. We began by unpacking the idea of perception: how a robot uses sensor data to gather information about its environment, and how that data can then be used to make decisions.
Participants first investigated how the VEX 123 Eye Sensor reads hue values, comparing what the robot “sees” with what our own eyes perceive. Through AI literacy activities like Hue Value Hunt and Lighting Technician, they discovered that sensor data can be affected by ambient light and other environmental factors — leading to some great “aha” moments about why robots may interpret the world differently than humans do.
We then built on that understanding in Code a Courseand Mystery Planet Mapper, where participants used sensor data to help the robot make decisions. These activities helped connect AI literacy to familiar computer science ideas like debugging, data-based decision making, and troubleshooting with evidence.
Here are the slides from the workshop:
123_ AI Literacy for Young Learners with VEX 123.pdf (7.1 MB)
Feel free to use them as needed!
And, for more information about the importance of teaching AI Literacy concepts to allstudents, see this PD+ Insights article!
