AI has increasingly become integral to our daily lives. At Southwest Senior High School, students are not only learning about AI—they’re mastering it. With a growing focus on AI education, teachers like Rudy Perez lead the charge, ensuring students are prepared for the future.
“AI is everywhere, even if you don’t realize it,” Mr. Perez shares. “It’s important for students to understand how it works, whether they want to enter computer science or any other field.”
The school’s AI program, now in its second year, is designed to give students a comprehensive understanding of AI, from its basic concepts to hands-on coding experience. The curriculum isn’t just about learning; it’s about application. Students start with an introduction to AI, knowing how it operates, including its learning structures and various components.
“We’re teaching them the basics of AI, but we also include Python coding because just learning about AI can get boring quickly,” he explains. “When they start creating their projects, they enjoy it.”
Mr. Perez’s contagious passion for AI is evident in the students’ excitement. “At first, many of them were hesitant, but once they started coding and creating their first projects, they realized how fun and cool it could be,” he shares. “Imagine if I could do this for a living,” one student remarked, echoing the excitement many in the class felt. This enthusiasm is a testament to the potential of AI education to inspire and engage students.
The program isn’t just about coding; it’s about demonstrating the real-world applications of AI across various industries, from healthcare to retail to weather forecasting. This emphasis on practicality ensures that even if students don’t pursue a career in computer science, understanding what AI can do for them in any field is invaluable. It’s about making AI education relevant and impactful.
Mr. Perez credits Miami EdTech’s AI training programs for significantly enhancing his ability to teach AI effectively. Over the summer, he participated in Python and AI training sessions, which helped him gain certifications that he now passes on to his students. “The training has been invaluable in preparing me and my students,” he says, adding that his goal is to help them achieve certifications by graduation. These certifications, he believes, offer students a head start, even if they don’t pursue AI directly, giving them a competitive edge in college or as a side hustle.
Miami EdTech has been designing curriculum and training programs for over six years. With the rise in AI, it has become increasingly imperative that our educators be equipped with the tools they need to succeed and teach!
One of the most exciting aspects of the program is the AI pre-apprenticeship, which offers students hands-on experience and college credits. “I’m excited for this year. We’ve worked out many bugs, and I think we’re coming in with a better game plan. The students are getting the experience I wish I had when I was in school,” Rudy reflects.
The impact of this program is clear: students are not just learning about AI; they’re actively engaging with it, exploring its possibilities, and even considering careers in the field. As the world continues to change rapidly with advancements in AI, educators like Mr. Perez are ensuring that students are not just passive consumers of technology but active participants in shaping the future. This active engagement is a testament to the program’s effectiveness.
Watch Mr. Perez & his students share more about his classroom here.
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