Bridges to Data Science

The K-12 Math of Artificial intelligence

 

This open resource outlines modern data science and artificial intelligence (AI) concepts and maps them to their corresponding roots in K-12 Common Core Math Standards and the international PISA 2021 Mathematics Framework.

Our aim is to build bridges between classroom content and industry knowledge, with the goal of creating K-12 learning environments grounded in culturally relevant real-world applications.

Use Cases

We designed Bridges to Data Science to be an actionable resource for audiences that may include:

  • Teachers planning a lesson on the real-world applications of math in data science / AI

  • Instructional designers building data science and/or AI learning activities

  • Data scientists / industry mentors sharing knowledge accessible at the K-12 level

Each section contains:

  • Real-world, culturally relevant applications of AI built on K-12 math

  • A practical teaching guide for use by teachers and industry mentors

  • Links to supplementary resources and lessons

  • Standards alignment tables mapping AI concepts to K-12 mathematical standards

What is Artificial Intelligence?

 
Fig 1. A depiction of a probabilistic graphical model (PGM) as an example of AI being used for medical diagnosis. Source: Probabilistic Models of Cognition

Fig 1. A depiction of a probabilistic graphical model (PGM) as an example of AI being used for medical diagnosis. Source: Probabilistic Models of Cognition

 

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a technology that is shaping our society, economy, and everyday lives. Research conducted by the World Economic Forum estimates that by 2030, AI will fundamentally change 30% of future jobs – automating old jobs, and creating perhaps as many new jobs as it replaces through overall economic growth.

These rapid economic advancements have also come with a spread in hype and misinformation about what AI actually is. The Brookings Institution noted in 2018 that “few concepts are as poorly understood as artificial intelligence …. the lack of clarity around the term enables technology pessimists to warn AI will conquer humans, suppress individual freedom, and destroy digital privacy”.

Against this backdrop, our nation’s students are paying attention as they prepare for their own careers. A 2019 study estimates that 47% of young adults believe they will work in jobs that do not currently exist, yet only 18% believe they are prepared with the 21st century skills they need. Most importantly, 74% feel that they are not getting enough information on careers that will be available.

We see a clear call to action for a democratic K-12 education in artificial intelligence that is grounded in science, ethics, and cultural relevance. This guide gathers examples from our own research and backgrounds in education, industry, and academia to illustrate what modern AI is: a collection of computer models that use mathematical techniques to automate “intelligent” tasks such as prediction or classification. Modern AI (or “machine learning”) is closely tied to statistics and data mining and can be considered as a branch of data science.

By drawing connections from AI to its roots in K-12 mathematics along with examples from everyday life, we hope to demystify and empower AI learning for all students and their educators.