2026 Science x AI x Engineering Workshop
The Lab-to-Classroom research group conducts research at the intersection of neuroscience, cognitive science, psychology, and education. We are interested in how educators and researchers can work together to improve education.
2026 Science x AI x Engineering Workshop:听
Science x AI x Engineering: Where Real Life, Data & Design Meet
January 19, 2026 | 9:30 am - 3:00 pm EST
Gasson Hall, Boston College
Please join us on Jan. 19th (MLK Day) for an interactive workshop focused on how to integrate science, AI, and engineering to support student learning.
Registration is free!听
While computational thinking originated in computer science, computational practices like abstraction, decomposition, and algorithmic thinking are now embedded in all STEM fields. This has been recognized by the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), which view computational thinking and engineering design as core science practices and calls for their integration into K-12 STEM courses. However, incorporating computational thinking and engineering design into existing STEM courses is not always straight-forward. This interactive workshop will discuss some practical ways to make this integration work and explore how recent developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI) could provide exciting new opportunities to support students and teachers through this process.
The day includes interactive breakout sessions, where you will experience inquiry-driven activities connected to real-world problems, such as how electrical muscle activity can be used to control a bionic arm. You will also interact with NGSS-aligned curriculum materials and technology, participate in a gallery walk to learn about teacher- and researcher-led projects, and hear from the 2024 California Teacher of the Year about practical classroom applications of AI. You will leave with a ready-to-use curriculum, a bionic arm toolkit, and practical AI strategies.听
In addition to the in-person workshop, you will have the opportunity to complete an additional four hours of asynchronous work to receive a certificate (total of 10 professional development points).
We are a collective of researchers, educators, and STEM professionals passionate about improving education through collaboration. We conduct research at the intersection of neuroscience, cognitive science, psychology, and education. You can read more about what kind of research we do.
Schedule
| 听罢颈尘别听 | 听贰惫别苍迟 | Room 听 听 听 听 |
| 听9:15 - 9:30听 | 听搁别驳颈蝉迟谤补迟颈辞苍 | Main Hall |
| 听9:30- 10:00听 | 听Breakfast and Networking | Main Hall |
| 听10:00 - 10:30听 | 听Welcome Address 听顿谤. Brian K. Smith, Lynch School of Education Associate 听Dean of Research & Lab-2-Classroom Hosts听 | Main Hall |
听10:30 - 11:20听 听11:30 - 12:20听 | 听Breakout Rooms 听10-minute听break between rooms
| 203 204 205 |
| 听12:30 - 1:15听 | 听Working Lunch 听With presentations from Backyard Brains & 听the Brain Healthy Project | Main Hall听 |
| 听1:15 - 2:00听 | 听Gallery Walk | Library |
| 听2:00 - 2:55听 | 听Keynote Speaker 听Casey Cuny - 2024 California Teacher of the Year | Main Hall |
| 听2:55 - 3:00听 | 听Closing Remarks | Main Hall |
Speakers
Breakout Rooms:
Controlling a Bionic Arm with Your Muscle Activity
- Facilitators: Dr. Ido Davidesco and Na鈥檃ma Av-Shalom
- Description:听This session will give you hands-on experience with the robotic arm we use throughout the curriculum. You鈥檒l also conduct some inquiry-driven experimentation of your own to see how we utilize EMG sensors to control the robotic arm using muscle activity.
Design and Engineering Process
- Facilitator: Aaron Kyle
- Description:听This session will provide a short overview of the engineering design process and how it can be used by you and your students to enhance computational thinking. We鈥檒l engage in an interactive discussion about the interplay between design and CT.
AI and Computational Thinking
- Facilitator: Leslie Bondaryk
- Description:听This session introduces CLUE, a collaborative platform that uses AI to support deep reasoning rather than shortcut it. We'll dive into Dataflow programming of sensors and the way these programs and the surrounding platform can support students in live CT reasoning challenges.
Professional Development
The Lynch School is a Massachusetts-approved provider of Professional Development Points (PDPs). 6 PDPs will be provided upon completion of the workshop sessions and all workshop assignments. There is an optional online course that follows the workshop, where teachers have the opportunity to earn an additional 4 PDPs and a certificate in Science and Education in AI. We encourage non-Massachusetts practitioners and educators to also participate in these opportunities. Non-Massachusetts participants will receive a certificate of completion that can be applied towards state-specific professional development requirements.
Please note that participants will not receive academic credit nor a transcript documenting their participation in this workshop series through Boston College. However, all participants will be awarded a certificate of completion in 听Science and Education in AI听and Professional Development points to apply to their professional development plans.
FAQ:
Who should attend this workshop?: This workshop is open to STEM educators, preservice teachers, researchers, administrators, and community partners interested in strengthening practice, collaboration, and applied learning in science and AI.
Parking:听We will provide a parking voucher for free parking in the Commonwealth Ave. Garage. 75 Campanella Way, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
Take a ticket as you enter the garage and use the voucher we provide upon exit.
Public Transportation:听Boston College campus is accessible through the Green Line and the Commuter Rail. You can find more information about these routes here:
Boston College also provides a free shuttle service to campus. You can find information about the route here: 听
Map:听
What should I bring?: Be prepared to collaborate, take notes, and experiment throughout the day. You should bring a laptop or other note taking device. Breakfast and lunch will be provided but feel free to bring a water bottle.
What is in the take-home educational kit?: Each kit has a robotic claw, battery, cable for EMG input, and electrode patches. Each kit also has a print out describing the experiment from our curriculum.听
What is the Gallery Walk?: The gallery walk is an opportunity for different researchers, teachers, and graduate students to showcase their work related to STEM education and AI. Several members of our research team will be presenting, but attendees also have the chance to showcase a project, curriculum, or other educational materials. To participate in the gallery walk, please fill out the section on the registration form.听What if I need to leave early or arrive late?: We understand schedules can be unpredictable. Participants are welcome to join for as much of the workshop as they are able. Please note that receiving the PD points is contingent on completion of all workshop activities.听
Professional Development:听
- What if I want to change my mind about getting PD points? 听 听
- You can still receive PD points if you register for them in person at the workshop.听
- How do I get the additional 4 PD points and certificate?听
- The 4 additional PD points are earned through completing the optional online course that follows the workshop. You can register for the online course here:https://bostoncollege-lsoe.catalog.instructure.com/browse/teaching-writing-genres/courses/science-x-ai-x-engineering
Dietary Restrictions: Please indicate any dietary restrictions on your registration form. We will have vegetarian and gluten-free options available.听
How do I connect to AV研究所 Wifi?听Visitors must register听to connect to the WiFi at AV研究所.
Follow the steps below to connect to the internet.
- Connect to the 鈥淏ostonCollege鈥� wireless network.
- Go to and select 鈥淕uest Registration Page.鈥�
- Complete the registration form.
You will receive a confirmation email and/or text with your login credentials. You can use these same credentials to connect other devices to the "BostonCollege" network.
Can I register day of?: Yes, you can register online or in person at the event. Please understand that we will not be able to guarantee there will be food for you unless you register in advance.听
Unable to attend at the last minute: If you are unable to attend at the last minute, please contact us at sabellir@bc.edu. You can send a colleague to attend the workshop in your spot, otherwise, your spot will be given to someone on the waitlist.
Bringing someone with you: If you plan to bring a colleague, guest, or a middle school or high school鈥揳ged child, we鈥檙e happy to welcome them. We just ask that everyone be registered in advance so we can plan accordingly.听
If you bring your middle- or high-schooler, please note that you will be responsible for them throughout the day, and they are welcome to join in on activities.
Who can I contact with questions before the workshop? Please reach out to sabellir@bc.edu or gousios@bc.edu with any questions.