Expedition AI

Dear Students, Staff, and R-H Families,

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the fastest-growing technology of our lifetime. The exciting tools and capabilities of AI are advancing quickly—what was science fiction a few years ago is now accessible on your phone and desktop. But many people do not yet fully understand what AI is and what potential it holds for education and for daily life.

Rush-Henrietta is thrilled to announce the launch of Expedition AI, a district-wide journey to explore and understand the fascinating world of Artificial Intelligence. This initiative isn't just a set of lessons; it's a shared adventure designed to empower every member of this community, from older students to the most experienced staff member. You’ll gain the knowledge and critical thinking skills needed to navigate the age of AI. Day 1 begins on Monday, October 20, and we will send additional information every other workday until this series concludes with Day 6 on Friday, October 31.

Each day of Expedition AI is anchored by a compelling focus question. This question will serve as the compass, guiding the daily exploration into a specific facet of artificial intelligence. Everyone is strongly encouraged to:

1. Engage: Participate actively in the daily explorations, whether in the classroom, in professional development, or in personal learning time.
2. Reflect: Take time to consider the focus questions. Think about how AI impacts life, work, or the future.
3. Discuss: Talk about what is learned with peers, colleagues, and family. 

To truly uncover the learning, we have prepared a range of modes for engagement. This approach ensures that whether learning comes from reading, watching, or listening, a clear pathway to understanding AI's core principles and practical applications will be found. To craft these dynamic, cutting-edge resources, the following online tools were leveraged to produce Expedition AI:

• Canva 
• Notebook LM 
• Gemini 
• Magic School
• Suno 
• Synthesia 

These tools are available to staff, and some are also available for student use. 

This comprehensive journey wouldn't be possible without the dedicated collaboration of several key R-H teams. Sincere gratitude is extended to:

• The ICT Team (Information, Communication, and Technology) 
• R-H Office of Community Relations
• Superintendent Dr. Barbara Mullen

Expedition AI is an opportunity to learn about artificial intelligence and to learn and reflect with one another on how this powerful technology can shape the world responsibly and positively.

Sincerely,

Brian P. Sutton
Director of Technology & Data Protection Officer
Rush-Henrietta Central School District

Day 1: What is AI?

Dear Students, Staff, and R-H Families,

Welcome! To begin our informational series, we introduce the core concept of Artificial Intelligence, including its definition, key components like Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing, and the various ways AI learns. You will also see a brief timeline of AI and an overview of its different types.

Click here or the graphic above to learn more.

Thank you for following this expedition with us.

Sincerely,

Brian P. Sutton
Director of Technology & Data Protection Officer
Rush-Henrietta Central School District

Day 2: Where is AI?

Dear Students, Staff, and R-H Families,

Do you know how much you already use AI? This day explores the common uses of generative AI in daily life, such as in content creation, technical assistance, and support. You will discover specific applications across categories like therapy, learning, and creativity, based on an analysis of forum posts.

Click here or the graphic above to learn more.

Thank you for joining this expedition with us.

Sincerely,

Brian P. Sutton
Director of Technology & Data Protection Officer
Rush-Henrietta Central School District

Day 3: How is AI Used in Higher Ed?

Dear Students, Staff, and R-H Families,

We hope you are finding the information we have shared so far to be interesting and educational. Today, we discuss how Artificial Intelligence is changing higher education. You will learn about typical university AI policies, which often cover issues like instructor autonomy, disclosure, attribution, high-stakes testing, and the ethical use of AI. This day also reflects on why R-H students need exposure prior to graduation.

Click here or the graphic above to learn more.

Thank you for joining this expedition with us.

Sincerely,

Brian P. Sutton
Director of Technology & Data Protection Officer
Rush-Henrietta Central School District

Day 4: How is AI Used in Various Careers and Industries?

Dear Students, Staff, and R-H Families,

Today we look at the impact of AI across different industries, from healthcare to financial services and other key sectors. You will find out how AI is already helping people work more efficiently, make smarter decisions, and even improve daily life.

Click here or the graphic above to learn more.

Thank you for joining this expedition with us.

Sincerely,

Brian P. Sutton
Director of Technology & Data Protection Officer
Rush-Henrietta Central School District

Day 5: How does AI Connect to the Vision 2037 Strategic Plan?

Dear Students, Staff, and R-H Families,

As we near the conclusion of our expedition, we take a look at the connection between the use of AI and Rush-Henrietta's Strategic Plan, Vision 2037. You will see how AI can be used to support the four goals outlined in Vision 2037, including excellence for every student and creating pathways for tomorrow.

Click here or the graphic above to learn more.

Thank you for joining this expedition with us.

Sincerely,

Brian P. Sutton
Director of Technology & Data Protection Officer
Rush-Henrietta Central School District

Day 6: How can AI Be Used Ethically?

Dear Students, Staff, and R-H Families,

We hope you have found this expedition to be informative and helpful. Today is the conclusion of this journey, and focuses on the ethics of AI, emphasizing the need to balance innovation with responsibility. Key ethical concerns covered include fairness in AI to prevent discrimination, protecting user data privacy, accountability in decision-making, and the impact of AI on jobs. 

Click here or the graphic above to learn more.

Thank you for joining this expedition with us. We will share more information with R-H staff through part two in January. 

Sincerely,

Brian P. Sutton
Director of Technology & Data Protection Officer
Rush-Henrietta Central School District