Creative Minds in the AI Era: Mastering Prompt Engineering for High School Students

Course Objectives

• Introduce students to the fundamentals of generative AI technologies, including an understanding of how they work and their applications in everyday life and education.
• Equip students with skills in crafting effective prompts to influence AI outputs, emphasizing both foundational and advanced techniques.
• Empower students to utilize AI as a tool for learning, innovation, and personal projects.
• Enable students to integrate generative AI tools into their learning practices by developing AI-enhanced activities.
• Provide hands-on opportunities to design and present AI-driven projects, fostering creativity and engagement among students.
• Encourage experimentation to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and digital literacy skills.
• Build awareness of key ethical and privacy considerations related to AI.
• Discuss emerging trends and future possibilities of AI technologies.
• Prepare students for continuing advancements in AI, ensuring they remain informed and adaptable.

Schedule

DAY 1

• Definition, types, and everyday uses.
• Discuss familiar AI tools like virtual assistants.
• Importance of protecting personal data.
• Analyze real-world data breach examples.
• Effects on mental health and social behavior.
• Group discussion on personal tech use.
• Try a basic AI tool (e.g., chatbot).
• Share reflections on the experience.

DAY 2

• Definition, uses (e.g., text and image generation).
• Show examples of AI-generated content.
• What prompt engineering is and why it matters.
• Show how different prompts affect AI responses.
• Key elements of effective prompts (clarity, context).
• Brainstorm and write sample prompts.
• Students test prompts with a generative AI tool.
• Reflect on results and how to improve prompts.

DAY 3

• Applications in fields like education, art, and gaming.
• Group research and presentations on selected use cases.
• Overview of project goals (e.g., stories, art, educational tools).
• Group brainstorming using generative AI tools.
• Students build their projects in groups using AI tools.
• Regular check-ins for feedback and guidance.
• Groups share project progress and early results.
• Peer and instructor feedback to refine ideas.

DAY 4

• Continue project development, applying feedback.
• Explore AI-related ethics—copyright, bias, and responsibility.
• Discuss how these issues relate to student projects.
• Tips for effective communication and project showcasing.
• Plan and structure final presentations.
• Practice project pitches with peer feedback.
• Identify improvements and finalize presentations.

DAY 5

• Refine and polish AI projects using previous feedback.
• Finished projects showcasing AI tools and prompt engineering.
• Present projects to the class, explaining the concept, process, and outcomes.
• Peer feedback and reflection on challenges and solutions.
• Class discussion on learning experiences and evolving views on AI.
• Emphasize lifelong learning and real-world applications.
• Introduction to emerging AI trends (e.g., swarm robotics, creative AI).
• Discuss future career paths and the impact of AI across industries.