Advancing AI Literacy Lessons


Voices in the Stone – Science Meets Culture

Science | 9-12
Duration: 60 minutes
Author: Travis Garcia, Computer Science Teacher

In this lesson, students deepen their investigation into geology and cultural narratives by completing the Voices in the Stone exploration. Working in teams, they analyze rock samples, record observations, and uncover how human decisions shape scientific classification. Through discussion, students compare cultural uses of rocks with their geologic origins, highlighting the interplay between science and society. This lesson sets the stage for understanding why AI systems struggle with nuance, preparing students to critically examine how data choices influence machine learning.

Lesson Objectives

  • Analyze rock samples through both scientific and cultural lenses.
  • Compare and contrast how human decisions and cultural perspectives shape classification.
  • Discuss how data adds to what we know and what might be missing.

Essential Questions

  • How can rocks tell both scientific and cultural stories about the Earth and its people?
  • What influences how we classify and value natural resources?
  • Where do human judgment and cultural context matter in science?