2026-27 AI4MiddleSchools
Professional Learning Community Application

Thank you for your interest in advancing 21st-century learning by joining the Artificial Intelligence for Middle Schools (AI4MiddleSchools) Professional Learning Community, supported by the University of Florida, Carnegie Mellon University, and Google. 

The Summer Institute will kick off the PLC and will be facilitated by nationally known AI experts from AI4K12.org and AI Teacher Leaders. The anticipated outcomes of the PLC are to develop AI competencies, AI career awareness, and interest in AI among Pennsylvania middle school teachers and students. Sessions will explore self-driving cars, language models, and machine learning, and discuss AI fundamentals.

10 teachers will be accepted into the program. Teachers who are accepted will receive a certificate of completion and travel reimbursement upon successful completion of all required teacher commitments. Please complete the application in its entirety by April 2026, including a letter of support from your principal.


Required Teacher Commitments:

  1. Complete asynchronous micro-courses, Living and Working with AI, prior to the in-person Summer Institute. 

  2. Attend and actively engage in the 5-day summer institute on JUNE 15-19 in Jacksonville, Florida (lodging, transportation, and registration will be covered; meals will be reimbursed). 

  3. Pilot AI4MiddleSchools lessons with groups of students during the 2025-26 school year.

  4. Saturday PLC check-ins during the 2026-27 school year (2 in fall and 2 in spring, from 9:30-1:30 PM ET).

  5. Share student work and provide feedback from the AI lesson delivery experience during virtual professional learning community sessions. (Saturday PLC dates to be determined).

District/School Commitments (There is no cost to the school or district to participate):

  1. Provide time for the teacher to participate in professional learning activities.

  2. Grants permission to implement AI4MiddleSchools lessons as part of teachers’ instructional activities during the 2026-27 school year.

  3. Ensure the teacher has access to district-approved software and tools needed to implement AI4MiddleSchools lessons.

Who should apply?

  • Current certified Pennsylvania Middle School Teachers

  • Experience teaching computer science, technology, engineering, CTE, or STEM-related courses preferred

  • Interest in learning about Artificial Intelligence

  • Willing to teach AI lessons from the training to your students

  • Learns and adapts quickly

Want more information about AI4MiddleSchools? Visit ai4ga.org. Questions? Contact Rachael at rachael@stem2hub.org or Colleen at info@degensteam.org