Advancing AI Literacy Lessons


Teaching the Machine – Classifying Rocks with AI

Science | 9-12
Duration: 65 minutes
Author: Travis Garcia, Computer Science Teacher

Students shift from human classification to machine learning as they build or test an AI classifier using tools like Teachable Machine. They experience firsthand how training data impacts accuracy and bias, observing successes and failures in rock identification. Through guided discussion, students analyze why certain misclassifications occur and explore ethical questions about data sourcing and representation. By the end, they synthesize insights about the strengths and limitations of AI in scientific contexts, reinforcing the need for human judgment and accountability in technology design.

Lesson Objectives

  • Construct or test an AI model for rock classification.
  • Evaluate the accuracy and limitations of AI classifiers.
  • Explain how bias enters AI systems and propose strategies to mitigate it.

Essential Questions

  • Can AI reliably identify rocks or minerals?
  • How does dataset design influence AI performance?
  • What responsibilities do we have when designing or using AI systems?