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STEM, Critical Thinking, and AI: Building Skills for the Future! and Having Fun!

This class combines STEM, critical thinking, and AI literacy through hands-on activities and real-world challenges, helping students develop problem-solving skills, evaluate information critically, and communicate complex ideas with confide
New on Outschool
Class
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What's included

8 pre-recorded lessons
8 weeks
of teacher support
1 year access
to the content
Projects
1-2 hours per week. included
Certificate of Completion
included

Class Experience

US Grade 5 - 9
Beginner Level
Class Experience Description

In this class, you will learn how to think like a scientist, analyze information critically, and apply STEM skills to real-world problems. You will explore how AI works, how to evaluate evidence, and how to solve challenges creatively, helping you develop essential problem-solving and communication skills for the future. NOTE: Students will NOT actually use AI in class due to possible misuse issues.

What Will You Learn?

You will learn how to think critically, ask scientific questions, and use evidence to make decisions. You will also explore the role of AI in today’s world, learning how machines learn, where AI is useful, and how to spot misinformation. Through hands-on activities, you will apply STEM skills to solve real-world problems and communicate complex ideas with confidence.

What Topics Will You Cover?

Throughout this course, you will explore:
	•	The Scientific Mindset – How to ask the right questions and think critically.
	•	AI & Decision-Making – How artificial intelligence learns and impacts the world.
	•	Misinformation & Evidence – How to separate fact from fiction using STEM reasoning.
	•	Hands-On Problem-Solving – Applying science and engineering to real-world challenges.
	•	Innovation & Creativity – How scientists and engineers develop new ideas.
	•	STEM Communication – How to explain scientific concepts clearly and persuasively.
	•	The Future of STEM & AI – How technology is shaping the world and why critical thinking matters.

How Is the Class Structured?

Each session will be interactive and project-based, allowing you to apply what you learn through activities and discussions. You will:
	•	Explore key concepts through videos, slides, and demonstrations.
	•	Participate in interactive problem-solving challenges to apply STEM skills.
	•	Discuss and analyze real-world examples in group discussions.
	•	Complete project submissions based on what you’ve learned.
	•	Have the option to submit projects for peer review to receive feedback from classmates.

How Will You Be Taught?

You will learn through hands-on activities, real-world applications, and interactive discussions. Lessons include STEM challenges, problem-solving tasks, and digital tools to make learning engaging and relevant. You will ask questions, test ideas, and explain your reasoning, just like a scientist.

What’s My Teaching Style?

You will learn in a fun, interactive, and thought-provoking environment where questioning and problem-solving are encouraged. My teaching style is inquiry-driven and student-centered, helping you develop confidence in your thinking, explore new ideas, and apply scientific reasoning in real-world situations.

How Much Will You Get to Interact?

This is a highly interactive class, where you will:
	•	Engage in discussions and Q&A sessions to explore ideas in-depth.
	•	Take part in hands-on challenges and problem-solving tasks that encourage active learning.
	•	Submit projects, which I will monitor and provide feedback on to support your progress.
	•	Have the option to submit projects for peer review, giving you the opportunity to receive feedback from your classmates.
	•	Use videos, slides, and interactive activities to make concepts clear and engaging.

By the end of this course, you will have developed the STEM, AI, and critical thinking skills needed to solve problems, evaluate information, and communicate ideas like a scientist.

Learning Goals

Think Like a Scientist – You will learn how to ask questions, analyze evidence, and apply logical reasoning to solve problems.
Understand AI & Spot Misinformation – You will explore how AI works, how it impacts daily life, and how to evaluate information critically.
learning goal

Syllabus

Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum
8 Lessons
over 8 Weeks
Lesson 1:
Scientific Mindset: How to Think Like a Scientist
 You will learn how scientists think and solve problems using logic, experimentation, and evidence. By exploring the scientific method, you’ll understand how to ask big questions, test ideas, and draw conclusions based on facts. Through hands-on challenges, you’ll start thinking like a scientist in everyday life. 
Lesson 2:
STEM in Action: Hands-On Challenges and Experiments
 You will learn how to apply STEM thinking to real-world problems through fun experiments and engineering challenges. By testing ideas and analyzing results, you’ll develop problem-solving skills, creativity, and logical reasoning. This lesson will help you understand how STEM connects to everyday life and the world around you. 
Lesson 3:
AI & You: How Artificial Intelligence Impacts Our World
 You will learn how Artificial Intelligence works, how it learns from data, and how it influences daily life. By exploring AI decision-making, you’ll discover where AI is useful, where it goes wrong, and what that means for the future. You’ll also discuss AI ethics and what makes human thinking different from machine learning. 
Lesson 4:
Truth or Trick? Spotting Misinformation with STEM Skills
 You will learn how to identify misinformation and separate fact from fiction using STEM-based reasoning. By analyzing news, social media, and real-world examples, you’ll discover how biases, misleading statistics, and AI-generated content can trick us. You’ll develop the critical thinking skills needed to ask the right questions and evaluate sources effectively. 

Other Details

Learning Needs
Helps build resilience and critical thinking skills
Parental Guidance
There will be some projects that will involve the use of scissors and also recycled materials which will need to be clean
Pre-Requisites
no pre-requisitions - an open mind and curiosity is all you need
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
we will use age appropriate AI tools with parental consent
Joined March, 2025
New on Outschool
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Non-US Teaching Certificate in Science
Bachelor's Degree in Physics from Manchester University
I am a qualified Advanced Skills Teacher (AST) with a PGCE and a highly experienced STEM educator who has taught physics, STEM, and AI worldwide. I have trained thousands of teachers, including delivering sessions to international educators at CERN, where I taught about particle accelerators and modern physics. My work includes collaborations with the Institute of Physics, Arsenal Football Club, and Brilliant Rubbish STEM using innovative approaches to bring STEM to life. I have also worked with governments in Bhutan, Vietnam, Malaysia, the UK, and Australia to develop STEM education programs that promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and scientific literacy.

Reviews

Self-Paced Course
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$4

weekly

8 pre-recorded lessons
8 weeks of teacher support
Choose your start date
1 year of access to the content
Ages: 11-16

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