NC School District Boosts AI Literacy with Student 'Prompt-a-Thon'
Catawba County Schools in North Carolina recently embarked on an innovative initiative to prepare its students for an increasingly AI-driven world, hosting a “prompt-a-thon” designed to cultivate artificial intelligence literacy. This summer training session served as an early launchpad for a comprehensive AI literacy program slated to roll out across the district this fall.
Thirty students participated in the two-day prompt-a-thon, held at the Hickory Metro Convention Center on August 4 and 5. The session immersed participants in the practical applications of generative AI, challenging them to design programs capable of assisting themselves, their peers, or the wider community. Student teams showcased remarkable creativity: one group developed a program to help manage daily schedules, while another engineered a chatbot to demystify recycling, explaining what items are recyclable and their potential value. A particularly imaginative team even conceived a chatbot designed to boost student focus, delivering motivational responses in the distinct voices of “The Lion King” characters Timon and Pumbaa.
This “prompt-a-thon” is a key component of a larger, three-year partnership between Catawba County Schools and AI for Education, an organization dedicated to integrating generative AI across all 28 schools within the county system. According to a press release from AI for Education, the overarching goal of this collaborative endeavor is to build community-wide AI literacy, encompassing students, teachers, leaders, and caregivers alike. The initiative also aims to develop and test new generative AI tools specifically designed to enhance instruction and learning, ultimately preparing students for the complex demands of an AI-driven future.
Marty Sharpe, chief technology officer for Catawba County Schools, highlighted the collaborative spirit of the prompt-a-thon, noting that students, despite varying levels of prior technology and AI experience, worked together to address real-world problems. During the session, facilitators like Sharpe introduced students to the fundamentals of generative AI and, crucially, discussed ethical usage. Students then gained hands-on experience creating AI chatbots using an application called Playlab.
The district’s proactive approach to AI literacy isn’t new. Last year, Catawba County Schools implemented an AI literacy class for its staff, focusing on responsible AI use. This foundational training will now extend to students, with a dedicated program for high schoolers scheduled for this fall. Sharpe emphasized that the objective extends beyond mere utilization; it’s about fostering a deep understanding. He articulated the program’s core philosophy: teaching students “what [AI] is, what it isn’t, what it can do for you and what it cannot do for you,” all while adhering to strict ethical guidelines and upholding academic integrity. Looking ahead, Catawba County Schools plans to host additional prompt-a-thons, exploring potential partnerships with institutions like Catawba Valley Community College or Appalachian State to further expand these crucial learning opportunities.