A.I. Bacteria

In A.I. Bacteria, students will use an artificially intelligent chatbot to interview one of their own gut bacteria!

Students will learn about the delicate ecosystem that exists within their own digestive tract. They will create their own chatbot to interview a member of that ecosystem, exploring how their health and the health of their microbiome are intertwined.

While exploring how artificial intelligence understands language, students will discover some advantages and disadvantages to AI and discuss ethical implications of the technology.

Grade Levels

Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7

Curriculum Links

Grade 5 Science – Body Systems – Digestion

Grade 6 Science – Body Systems – Excretion

Grade 7 Science – Natural Selection – Survival Needs

Grade 5 Health Education – Balanced Lifestyle – Illness Prevention

Grade 6/7 Health Education – Healthy Choices – Communicable Diseases

Grade 5/6/7 English Language Arts – Language Features & Structures

Grade 6/7 ADST Modules – Computational Thinking, Digital Literacy, Food Studies

Many curricular competencies from Science, ADST, ELA, and Health Education are incorporated.

Availability

• 9:30AM, 10:45AM, 1:30PM
• Monday-Friday
• October 2023 - June 2024

Language

• English

Additional Information

Check out what requirements you’ll need to host an online workshop in General Online Workshop Information.

A.I. Bacteria Technology Requirements

• Each student will need a computer device (eg. laptop, chromebook, desktop, iPad) with internet access and a webpage open to menti.com
• Note for iPad users: this workshop is possible on an iPad, however students must already be comfortable with typing, and copying & pasting on an iPad and switching between browser tabs.
• During the lesson, students will be provided with a link to some bacteria profiles. If you would like to print that information in advance, the documents can be found on the A.I. Bacteria Profiles page.

Pre-Workshop Activities (optional)

• Eat a Rainbow: This activity has students identify and think about the variety of fruits & vegetables they eat.
• Contamination Station: In this activity, students explore how germs spread and how effective handwashing can prevent illness. (Glo Germ supplies needed)
• Yeast-inflated balloons: Gut bacteria often produce gasses. This activity demonstrates another microorganism often found on our bodies and environments, and the gas it produces. You could discuss differences between fungal and bacterial microorganisms.
• Poop Factory: This physical game explores the digestive system.

Required Post-Workshop Survey

You will be required to complete a demographic survey upon completion of this workshop. For more information about why we are collecting this information, visit our Tech-Up page.