A multidisciplinary team will help design AI-powered learning tools that strengthen scientific thinking in K–12 classrooms.
As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into classrooms and workplaces, researchers at the University of Utah are helping answer an important question: How can AI support learning without replacing the critical thinking and problem-solving skills students need to succeed?
A multidisciplinary U team has been selected as one of 50 teams nationwide for the National Science Foundation’s inaugural Fostering Interdisciplinary Network Driven Educationally Responsive Solutions Foundry (NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY) program. The initiative brings together educators, researchers, technologists, and communities to develop innovative solutions to some of K–12 education’s most pressing challenges while preparing students for an AI-driven future.
Led by, Rebecca Peterson, interim director of the Stark Science Learning Center, the team includes Vineet Pandey and Eliane Wiese from the Kahlert School of Computing and Lauren Barth-Cohen from the departments of Educational Psychology and Physics & Astronomy. Together, the team will explore how generative AI can be thoughtfully integrated into secondary science classrooms to help students make sense of scientific data while strengthening—not replacing—their scientific reasoning.
“Science is about asking good questions and reasoning through the evidence,” Peterson said. “Those are exactly the skills we don’t want students to lose as AI becomes part of the classroom. By designing this with teachers, parents, and students, we can build something that helps young people think deeply and think more, not less.”
During the two-month planning phase, researchers will work directly with teachers and students through focus groups to better understand classroom needs and co-design an AI-supported learning environment grounded in authentic teaching and learning experiences.
The planning award positions the team to compete for a larger NSF development award later this year, which would support prototype development, classroom testing, and continued collaboration with educators.
A Collaborative Approach to Educational Innovation
The NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY program emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together researchers, educators, caregivers, and technologists to develop evidence-based educational technologies that address real-world learning challenges.
For the University of Utah team, that collaboration spans expertise in science communication, computer science, educational psychology, and STEM education, reflecting the U’s commitment to use-inspired research that connects disciplines to solve complex problems.
The initiative also aligns with national efforts to strengthen AI education and prepare students for a rapidly evolving STEM workforce.
Supporting Faculty Through Competitive Funding Opportunities
The NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY opportunity was offered as a Limited Submission Opportunity (LSO), a type of funding opportunity that limits the number of proposals an institution may submit. Before applying to the National Science Foundation, University of Utah researchers participated in an internal review and selection process coordinated through U Research’s Limited Submission Opportunities team, which helps identify the university’s strongest proposals for highly competitive funding opportunities.
“Programs like Limited Submissions are about more than managing institutional eligibility, they’re about helping our researchers put forward their strongest ideas,” said Jake Jensen, Senior Associate Vice President for Research. “By providing a thoughtful internal review process and connecting researchers with institutional support, we’re helping faculty compete successfully for national opportunities that advance discovery, strengthen partnerships, and position the University of Utah for long-term research leadership.”
Researchers interested in future Limited Submission Opportunities can learn more about the program here.
Building the Future of STEM Learning
Rather than focusing solely on technology, the project centers on how students learn. By engaging educators and students throughout the design process, the research team aims to create tools that enhance curiosity, scientific reasoning, and data literacy while supporting teachers in the classroom.
The award is part of the National Science Foundation’s first FINDERS FOUNDRY cohort, which is investing nearly $2.5 million in 50 interdisciplinary planning teams across the country. These projects will inform the next generation of educational technologies and help prepare students for emerging careers in science and technology.
The project reflects the University of Utah’s commitment to supporting interdisciplinary teams pursuing competitive national opportunities that strengthen research, education, and workforce development.
Learn more about the Stark Science Learning Center
