Artificial Intelligence Challenge Kit
Equip your students with the skills, knowledge, and tools they need to be responsible, ethical creators and users of AI as they explore the future of learning in a world shaped by Artificial Intelligence.
“To harness AI’s potential while preserving what makes education human… means redesigning learning experiences so they are authentic, student-driven, and process-focused, with AI serving as a collaborative partner in learning rather than a simple shortcut or threat.”
Building Critical AI Thinkers and Creators
Over 5,000 students have engaged in deep learning about Artificial Intelligence through I-Think’s Artificial Intelligence Challenge Kit. Students and teachers share that understanding how AI works, is trained, used and misused, is essential to the world they live in. Students are asking for meaningful opportunities to sharpen their critical thinking and develop their own points of view on AI.
In the AI Challenge Kit, students build knowledge and understanding of AI by learning directly from expert speakers from around the world. They are introduced to emerging career opportunities, connect what they hear to current news stories, and sharpen their critical thinking. . Using the Challenge Kits, students engage in curriculum-connected hands-on activities and live demos, that make learning tangible and relevant, grounded in 3 themes:
Deeply Human
AI must serve people first. Because it isn’t human, and lacks feelings and judgment, we have to use it in ways that protect one another and avoid harm.
Critical Thinking
AI surfaces “most probable” answers from big datasets; we keep agency by thinking critically. That means understanding how AI is built and how misinformation, deepfakes and other harmful aspects spread, so we can evaluate outputs and make informed choices.
Enhancing Learning
AI should open new opportunities for learning, not replace the learning and skill building we still need to do. We need to uphold academic integrity and make learning safe and accessible for every student.
In a world buzzing with AI hype, this Challenge Kit cuts through the noise to focus on what truly matters: how AI can meaningfully support the learning needs of all students. We’re excited to share our AI Report, inspired by the problem solving of over 5,000 students across Ontario, which echoes leading international research. Use it to lead thoughtful discussions with staff and students, to ensure AI serves the growth and success of every student.
A Peek Inside
We’re surrounded by Artificial Intelligence but how many students truly understand what it is, how it works, how it shapes their lives and communities and how they want it to shape their lives?
This Challenge Kit gives students in Grades 6–12 the opportunity to develop a perspective on the role of AI in their schools and communities. Students will unpack how AI tools work, how they are trained, the role of algorithms and bias, and considerations we may have when using or designing AI systems. This is an opportunity for students to explore emerging technologies, reflect on their own experiences with AI tools and then share their learning and insight with the school community.
Students’ guiding challenge is:
How might AI enrich the lives and possibilities for every student?
Curriculum-Connected Activity Plans
Activating Prior Knowledge Activity 🡢
Artificial Intelligence 101 Activity 🡢
Assessment Rubrics
Information to Send Home
This Challenge Kit features voices from people working at the forefront of AI, bringing their research, lived experiences, and questions to help us understand how this technology is reshaping human learning and connection.
Safina Arched Ali and Dr. Kate Moore, Researchers from MIT STEP Lab
Liran Leidershnaider, MA Student, School and Clinical Child Psychology, Academic Intervention Lab, OISE, University of Toronto
Christelle Mombo-Zigah, Global Renewals Strategy and Planning Leader for AppDynamics, a Cisco company, and founder of Digital Colorism
Mira Patel, Student, AI4GoodLab
Tara Steele, Director, Safe AI for Children Alliance
Challenge Kit designed by: Heidi Siwak
Heidi is a retired educator with over 25 years experience and an alumna of Mila-Quebec Institute for Artificial Intelligence Summer School in Responsible AI and Human Rights, 2025. Heidi’s work as an educator has been featured in articles, books, and podcasts and is an experienced conference presenter and TEDx speaker.
Want to learn more?
Bring an AI Challenge Kit to your school board by engaging at least 15 teachers in grades 6 - 12. We will gladly apply for a grant with you to make this happen.
Interested in joining the next cohort of teachers using the AI Challenge Kit?