Partnerships

UNLV’s CMSEE Trains Elementary Teachers to Bring AI into the Classroom

August 3, 2026

Seven elementary teachers spent the final week of July learning how to introduce artificial intelligence to their students, thanks to a five-day professional development institute hosted by UNLV’s Center for Mathematics, Science and Engineering Education (CMSEE) at McCaw Elementary School in Henderson.

From July 27–31, participants explored the Five Big Ideas of AI alongside foundational computer science concepts—sequences, events, loops, and conditionals. Working hands-on with Google’s Teachable Machine, the Snap! block-based programming environment, and Hummingbird Robotics kits, teachers built their own machine-learning models and programmable robots, gaining the tools and confidence to teach AI and computer science to students in grades 4 and 5.

The institute is part of CMSEE’s broader EducateAI effort to develop an integrated AI curriculum for elementary classrooms, giving young learners meaningful exposure to AI and STEM well before middle school. Participating teachers will now begin implementing these lessons in their own classrooms during the coming school year.

This project is funded by National Science Foundation Grant #2434803

https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/show-award?AWD_ID=2434803

Gearing Up for the Future: Fall and Spring STEM Preparations Underway

June 4, 2025

Date: June 5, 2025

Category: Upcoming Programs / Partnerships

Author: CMSEE Team

While our summer sessions have just come to a successful close, the team at the Center for Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Education (CMSEE) is already looking ahead. We are officially shifting gears to prepare an engaging lineup of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics activities for the upcoming Fall and Spring semesters.

Central to our mission is providing regular, high-quality opportunities for local youth to interact with university-tested STEM concepts. To make this happen, we rely on the strength of campus and community collaborations that share our dedication to early education and student success.

Exciting Partnerships on the Horizon:
As we design our upcoming schedules, we are thrilled to highlight two core pathways that will connect young learners with UNLV this next academic year:

  • The Saturday STEM Program: Our signature five-week Fall and Spring series will return. These sessions offer elementary and middle school students model-based, inquiry experiences built around a major integrated STEM theme. It remains a cornerstone of our research-to-practice model, providing participants with a space to explore deep scientific concepts in a structured weekend format. Learn more about the framework on the CMSEE Saturday STEM Program Page.
  • UNLV Young Rebels Integration: We are proud to align our outreach efforts alongside the UNLV Young Rebels Program. By working together with early outreach initiatives on campus, we can expand our reach to even more future innovators across the valley, introducing them to the possibilities of higher education and STEM careers early in their learning journeys.

Behind the Scenes:

Our faculty and UNLV student mentors are busy evaluating data from our past cohorts, refining curriculum models, and ensuring our upcoming activities reflect the latest evidence-based teaching practices. This preparation ensures that when registration opens, we are ready to deliver the best possible experiential learning environment for both our university leaders and the K-8 students they mentor.

Stay tuned for official theme announcements, dates, and schedule details in the coming months!

Be the First to Know When Registration Opens
Because individual tracks are grant-funded and seating fills quickly on a first-come, first-served basis, staying informed is key. Join our year-round registry notification list to receive an alert directly in your inbox the moment Fall and Spring enrollment dates are finalized.