Exploring Generative AI
Empower students with hands-on projects and ethical insights into generative AI, equipping them to think critically and innovate in an AI-driven world.
In partnership with
Empower students with generative AI skills
Prepare students to explore and create with generative AI, developing critical thinking and ethical awareness.
-
Comprehensive AI literacy
From foundational AI concepts to advanced techniques like prompt engineering and chatbot design, this curriculum encompasses both how AI works and how to use AI.
-
Flexible curriculum design
Whether integrated into an existing course structure or taught as a standalone unit, this curriculum’s flexible structure allows you to adapt lessons to fit your classroom goals and timelines.
-
Ethical and inclusive learning
Promote responsible AI use and development with a focus on ethical considerations and inclusivity, ensuring all students can be responsible creators and critical consumers of AI technologies.
Curriculum at a glance
-
Grades: 8-12
-
Level: Beginner
-
Duration: 6 weeks
-
Devices: Laptop, Chromebook
-
Topics: Artificial Intelligence, Аpp Design
-
Programming Tools: Code.org AI Chat Lab
-
Professional Learning: Available, Course-specific
-
Accessibility: Text-to-speech, Closed captioning
-
Languages Supported: English
Teach the complete course
Equip students with a comprehensive understanding of generative AI through a full, structured curriculum
Exploring Generative AI
Prepare your students for the future with an engaging curriculum that demystifies generative AI. Through hands-on projects and ethical discussions, students gain the skills to become creators and critical thinkers in an AI-powered world.
Explore courseSee professional learning
Flexible units in this course
Choose standalone units to fit your classroom needs or combine them for a deeper dive into AI concepts.
Unit 1
Foundations of Generative AI
Introduces the basics of generative AI and how it works, covering neural networks, embeddings, and how large language models are trained to understand and represent language.
Unit 2
Customizing Language Models
Focuses on practical skills for tailoring AI models using techniques like prompt engineering and retrieval, while promoting transparency through model cards.
Note: AI Chat Lab levels require a verified teacher account or SSO login to make use of the tool.
New AI Chat Lab
The AI Chat Lab tool, accessible only through our curriculum, allows students to experiment with AI models, learn prompt engineering, and customize chatbots using real-world techniques. Designed with built-in safety and moderation features, AI Chat Lab ensures a secure environment for exploring AI concepts while promoting ethical development and responsible use.
This unit let my students explore and make their own genuine choices, while teaching students how chatbots work. While they were able to create their own chatbots, it was not overly technical, so students do not need a strong computer background knowledge to participate in the course. However, because of the open and explore-based nature of the lesson format, my AP students were also able to engage, enjoy the lesson, and learn about AI.
CS Teacher
Preparing to teach Exploring Generative AI
8-12 Teachers
Teaching Exploring Generative AI
This professional learning module prepares teachers to guide 8-12 students through Code.org's Exploring Generative UI units, where students work with hand-on projects and ethical insights into generative AI, equipping them to think critically and innovate in an AI-driven world.
Start professional learningFrequently asked questions
How does Exploring Generative AI fit into my existing curriculum?
Exploring Generative AI was designed to address both "How AI Works" and "How to Use AI", two essential elements of AI Literacy. The course offers flexible implementation options to suit your specific needs and curriculum structure:
- Full Course: Teach both units together as a cohesive course, providing a deep dive into generative AI concepts and applications.
- Individual Units: Teach each unit individually, focusing on specific aspects of generative AI that align with your curriculum goals. Optional "ramp-up" lessons are provided to quickly onboard students to each unit's topics, ensuring a smooth transition even if they haven't completed the previous unit.
Regardless of your chosen implementation approach, Exploring Generative AI is designed to complement and enhance your existing CS or STEM curriculum, equipping your students with essential AI skills and knowledge.
Does Exploring Generative AI address ethical considerations in AI?
Yes, the curriculum emphasizes the importance of ethical AI development and use. It covers topics such as bias in AI, hallucinations and misinformation, and responsible AI practices such as model cards, encouraging students to think critically about the societal implications of AI technologies. Learn more about our approach to AI Ethics in our Teachers Guide to Ethical Opportunities in Exploring Generative AI.
What tools and setup are required for teaching this module?
The first unit of the course is entirely unplugged and doesn't require any student devices. The second unit requires student computers or Chromebooks - see our IT Requirements page for additional information on accessing our Code.org platform. Additional information about accessing AI Chat Lab is available in this technical support article.
What kind of projects and activities do students work on in Exploring Generative AI?
Students engage in a variety of hands-on projects and activities throughout the curriculum, such as building chatbots, role-playing scenarios that address misinformation about AI, and exploring creative applications of AI. These allow students to apply their knowledge and develop practical AI skills. For example, in Exploring Generative AI, students:
- Construct artifacts to help demystify AI to people in their community
- Design chatbots to address personally relevant issues or creative tasks
- Collaboratively construct guidance for appropriate AI usage in a real-world context
- Develop a chatbot using a user-centered design process to address an issue in the community
Is this module mapped to standards?
This curriculum is mapped to CSTA K-12 Standards and the AI for K-12 Guidelines when possible - click here to see a mapping of standards to lessons in the curriculum. The curriculum is also aligned to a learning framework of skills and knowledge designed specifically for generative AI - click here to view the learning framework.
Tell me more about AI Chat Lab - what safety precautions have been built in? What is the data retention policy?
Please see our technical support article on AI Chat Lab for more information about this exciting new tool!
Additional resources
From diverse curriculum offerings, to short educational videos, explore all the things Code.org has to offer.
Curriculum Catalog
Comprehensive curriculum offerings for every grade and experience level featuring robust structured and self-paced learning options.
Code.org AI Resources
Discover our extensive AI curriculum, professional learning, and other resources to build foundational skills, foster creativity, and encourage critical thinking.
Get Support
Our customer support team is ready to answer your questions. Email us at support@code.org or check out our support center, which offers useful guides and answers!
Developed in partnership with
