Researchers use fossil shark teeth to excite middle school teachers and students about artificial intelligence.

May 2025 – An interdisciplinary team of researchers funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation has created a teacher-driven curriculum called Shark AI. This optional online program introduces Florida middle school teachers and students to artificial intelligence through the science of paleontology. With Shark AI, science teachers learn how to incorporate AI and machine learning concepts into their classrooms to help their students build essential skills and prepare for 21st-century STEM careers.

Most K-12 AI learning occurs with computer science standards and learning goals" said Bruce MacFadden, University of Florida (UF) distinguished professor and principal investigator (PI) on the project. Shark AI takes a novel approach by using AI to teach concepts that are connected to biology, paleontology and the nature of science, while at the same time connecting to computer science education goals as well" he said.

Developed with and for teachers, Shark AI is a free, optional online curriculum with five flexible modules — all aligned with middle school science standards — that teachers can choose to integrate into their instruction plans. The lessons aim to demystify AI by teaching students about data collection and object classification using fossil shark teeth, showing students how to train and evaluate machine learning models while recognizing a model’s limitations, and supporting students as they create unique AI models.

But to best prepare students to use AI, teachers must also know how to use the technology. One critical component to using Shark AI is having access to real fossils.

With Shark AI, students have access to high-quality, real fossils that they can touch and feel" MacFadden said. "The kids love having that, and so do the teachers"

The other key piece is the support provided through professional development for Florida middle school educators who are voluntarily implementing Shark AI in their classrooms.

If teachers aren’t given opportunities to learn, they can never bring that knowledge back to their schools" said Seema Naik, an engineer-turned-sixth and eighth grade educator, and this year’s Career Technical Education Rookie Teacher of the Year for her school in Broward County. "I never imagined that you could actually make a connection between fossils and AI, that you can train a model and do this. That was quite fascinating" she said.

The Shark AI team hosts a weeklong summer workshop to support teacher cohorts. The educators learn from various experts, including other middle school ’teacher leaders,’ who use the curriculum.