Implementing Organization
1
Organization Type
Afterschool center
Location
Diamond Bar, Southern California, USA (suburban)
Primary Facilitator Role
Undergraduate and graduate CS students; technical educators
Learning Context
2
Setting Type
- Informal learning
- Afterschool center
- In-school (K–12)
- Private program
Session Format
Mini AI Summer Camp
Duration
5 days
Group Size
~10 students
Devices
Individual device
Constraints
- No individual logins allowed
- No personal data collection
- Time-limited setup and teardown
- Poor Wi-Fi signal
Learner Profile (Non-identifiable)
3
Age Range
Grades 3–5 (approx. ages 8–10)
Prior AI Exposure (Assumed)
No prior experience with generative AI tools assumed
Prior Programming Background (Assumed)
No prior programming background assumed
Educational Intent
4
Primary Learning Goals
- Build foundational understanding of what AI is and what AI is not
- Introduce how AI learns and creates using age-appropriate metaphors
- Develop basic computational thinking through Scratch programming
- Encourage creative expression through game and character design
Secondary Learning Goals
- Understand data collection and patterns as inputs to AI systems
- Explore human decision-making vs AI behavior
- Practice iteration, testing, and refinement
- Build confidence in presenting and explaining technical ideas
What This Was Not
- Not a formal AI theory course
- Not advanced machine learning instruction
- Not focused on standardized performance metrics
AI Tool & Learning Materials
5
Tool & Platform Types
- AI concept instructional slides (educator-led)
- Scratch programming environment
Learning Materials Included
- AI concept slides: What is AI / AI or Not AI; Natural vs Artificial intelligence; How AI learns; How AI creates
- Scratch projects: basic programming, data collection, game creation, AI character generation, pattern generation, and introductory reinforcement learning concepts
AI Role
- Conceptual AI model
- Creative system
- Tutor
- Evaluator
Languages
English
Safeguards
- No personal data collection
- No student accounts created
Activity Design
6
Overall Structure
5-day mini AI summer camp combining short concept lessons with hands-on Scratch projects
Activity Flow
- Introduction to AI concepts
- Demonstration of Scratch examples
- Student project development
- Iteration and refinement
- Daily reflection and discussion
- Final mini showcase of student Scratch projects
Human vs AI Responsibilities
- Human: Designing logic, collecting data, creative decision-making
- AI: Simulated pattern-based behavior and responses
Scaffolding Strategies
- Step-by-step templates
- Visual demos
- Peer support
- Educator guidance
Observed Challenges (Educator-Reported)
7
- Variation in prior Scratch experience
- Limited time for deeper project extension
- Technical constraints due to weak Wi-Fi
- Debugging challenges for younger students
Design Adaptations Made
8
- Simplified project scope
- Increased visual demonstrations
- Flexible pacing
- Emphasis on creativity over correctness
Reported Outcomes (Descriptive, Not Measured)
9
Engagement
High attendance and sustained participation
Learning Signals
- Correct identification of AI vs non-AI examples
- Ability to explain how data affected behavior
- Understanding of patterns and feedback loops
- Increased confidence during project demos
Educator Reflection
Students demonstrated strong engagement and were able to explain AI ideas through their Scratch projects.
Ethical & Privacy Considerations
10
- No personal data collected
- No student names recorded
- No online accounts created
Evidence Type
11
- Practitioner observation
- Activity documentation
- Student project demonstrations
- Learning analytics
- Longitudinal assessment
Relevance to AI Education Research
12
Potential Research Use
Informal AI learning; Early AI literacy; Project-based learning
Relevant Research Domains
Learning sciences; Computer science education; AI literacy
Case Status
13
- Completed
- Planned expansion
- Scaling across sites
AAB Classification Tags
14
Age
Elementary
Setting
Afterschool center
AI Function
Conceptual AI, Pattern-based behavior
Pedagogy
Project-based learning
Risk Level
Low
Data Sensitivity
None