Federal funding initiatives unveiled by the National Science Foundation to boost AI education and foster a skilled STEM workforce in the future

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced three new initiatives aimed at expanding resources for K-12 AI education and enhancing STEM teaching and learning.

The first of these initiatives is the "Expanding K-12 Resources for AI Education DCL". This Dear Colleague Letter invites existing awardees with K-12 AI or computer science education experience to submit supplemental funding proposals. The focus of these proposals is on specific K-12 educational efforts that address age-appropriate AI education, literacy, and the use of technologies in AI education.

The second initiative is the NSF STEM K-12 program, which seeks to unlock new avenues of scientific inquiry and discovery in STEM education. The program supports research on how AI and other emerging technologies can be used to study and enhance STEM teaching and learning. It also has a focus on producing new tools and frameworks for STEM education.

The third initiative is the "Expanding AI Career and Skilled Technical Workforce Opportunities in Support of High School Students DCL". This Dear Colleague Letter targets workforce development for high school students in AI. It encourages AI courses, certification, and dual enrollment programs for high school students, as well as efforts to strengthen the U.S. AI workforce and advance education and innovation pipelines.

In support of the executive order, "Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth", the NSF is integrating AI as a priority area within existing fellowship and scholarship for service programs. The NSF also plans to enhance teacher training and harness AI tools and services to improve science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teaching and learning.

NSF Assistant Director for STEM Education James L. Moore III stated that integrating AI into education systems helps prepare learners for an AI-driven society. These announcements aim to expand resources for K-12 AI education and strengthen the U.S. AI workforce, ultimately advancing education and innovation pipelines.