About This Curriculum
The AI Foundations Curriculum represents years of research and collaboration to create a comprehensive, accessible K-12 framework for AI education that prepares all students for an AI-driven world.
Curriculum Framework
This curriculum is structured around four grade bands, each with its own theme and learning progression. Students develop AI literacy from basic concepts in elementary school to sophisticated understanding of machine learning and AI ethics in high school.
Grades 5-6
AI Around Us
Grades 7-8
How AI Works
Grades 9-10
Building AI
Grades 11-12
AI & Society
The Five Big Ideas of AI
The foundational concepts that guide our curriculum design.
Perception
AI systems perceive the world through data. They use sensors, cameras, microphones, and other tools to gather information about their environment.
Representation & Reasoning
AI systems represent knowledge about the world and use logic and algorithms to reason about that knowledge to make decisions and solve problems.
Learning
Machine learning allows AI systems to improve their performance based on data and experience, learning patterns and relationships from examples.
Natural Interaction
AI systems communicate with humans through natural interfaces -- language, speech, gesture -- making AI accessible and raising important design questions.
Societal Impact
AI affects society in profound ways -- from healthcare and education to employment and justice. Understanding these impacts is essential for responsible development.
Design Principles
Developmentally appropriate: Content is scaffolded across grade levels with increasing sophistication
Hands-on and engaging: Students learn through projects, puzzles, and interactive activities
Ethics-first: Societal impact and ethical considerations are integrated throughout, not bolted on
Accessible: Designed for diverse learners with built-in differentiation and support structures
Standards-aligned: Aligned with AI4K12 Big Ideas, CSTA standards, and ISTE standards
Teacher-friendly: Complete lesson plans, assessments, and resources require no AI background
Inclusive: Curriculum reflects diverse perspectives and highlights AI's global applications
Skills-focused: Develops computational thinking, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving
Standards Alignment
AI4K12
Five Big Ideas and Practices for K-12 AI education. Our curriculum maps directly to these foundational concepts.
CSTA Standards
Computer Science Teaching Association standards for K-12 computer science education, including algorithms, data, and computing systems.
ISTE Standards
International Society for Technology in Education standards for student learning in technology-rich environments.
Comprehensive Coverage
Every unit in this curriculum has been aligned against all major K-12 AI and computer science standards. Teachers can be confident that their students are building knowledge and skills that are recognized nationally.
Unit materials include explicit mappings to standards, making it easy to verify alignment with your school's curriculum requirements.
Ready to Get Started?
Explore the complete curriculum by grade level. Each unit includes detailed lesson plans, projects, assessments, and all the resources you need.
Explore the Curriculum