In the heart of Pennsylvania, a unique workshop unfolded at Penn State University Park, blending the worlds of agriculture and artificial intelligence. Twelve educators from across the country gathered to explore how AI can revolutionize global agricultural education. This immersive experience was part of the Global Teach Ag Network’s Educators Empowering Educators Program, funded by the USDA, aiming to boost agricultural literacy among educators.
The workshop, titled “Can AI Play?”, challenged participants to collaborate with AI as a fifth teammate, merging two popular board games and infusing them with educational value. The task was ambitious, but the results were enlightening. Teachers and graduate students from the International Agriculture and Development Program (INTAD) worked together, guided by Penn State’s Teaching and Learning with Technology. They discovered that AI could fill knowledge gaps, maintain consistency, and even spark creativity.
One standout project was a game combining Monopoly and Mancala, designed to teach players about anaerobic digesters. The team, including INTAD student Mia Sullivan, found that AI not only assisted in the game’s development but also became an integral part of the creative process. “Once we accepted the AI as an equal part of our task,” Sullivan noted, “there’s no telling what creativity we can achieve.”
The workshop highlighted AI’s potential as more than just a tool; it can be a catalyst for innovation in education. Zach Lonsinger, a learning experience designer, observed, “The session highlighted how AI can spark curiosity, bridge expertise, and help reimagine possibilities in the classroom.” This sentiment was echoed by the participants, who saw AI’s role evolving from a mere assistant to a full-fledged collaborator.
Daniel Foster, GTAN co-founder, emphasized AI’s role as a classroom connector, helping educators bring relevant research and science content into their teaching. “From grading to lesson development,” Foster said, “AI is helping educators expand the impact of agricultural education and extension far beyond the classroom.”
For educators like Myken Poorman, a high school agriscience teacher, the workshop opened new avenues. “I never thought about using AI to help create a game that could teach a specific concept in agriculture,” Poorman admitted. The final projects, now available online, serve as testaments to the workshop’s success and the potential of AI in education.
As agritech continues to evolve, workshops like these pave the way for innovative teaching methods. They encourage educators to embrace technology, fostering a new generation of agriculturists equipped with the latest tools and knowledge. The future of agricultural education is here, and it’s intelligent, collaborative, and incredibly creative.
