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ASPIRATION: Empowering High School Students with Scientific Literacy and Communications through AI and Mentorship

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Title: ASPIRATION: Empowering High School Students with Scientific Literacy and Communications through AI and Mentorship
Language: English
Authors: Shixia Huang, Guowei Gu, Shin Crystal, Xiao Lin, Sara Adio-Oduola, Alana D. Newell, Zhongcheng Shi, Sophie Zhang, Yuan Yao, Michael Nguyen, Zaniqua Bullock
Source: Journal of STEM Education: Innovations and Research. 2025 26(4):42-50.
Availability: Institute for STEM Education and Research. P.O. Box 4001, Auburn, AL 36831. Tel: 334-844-3360; Web site: https://www.jstem.org
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 9
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: High Schools
Secondary Education
Descriptors: High School Students, Primary Sources, Scientific Literacy, Scientific Research, STEM Education, Artificial Intelligence, Program Design, Program Implementation, Program Effectiveness, Science Education, Communication Skills, Science Programs, Mentors, Student Empowerment, Technology Uses in Education, Critical Thinking, Skill Development, Visual Aids, Active Learning, Public Speaking
Geographic Terms: Texas (Houston)
DOI: 10.63504/jstem.v26i4.2738
ISSN: 1526-2367
1557-5284
Abstract: Introducing high school students to primary scientific literature in an accessible format fosters early scientific literacy and critical thinking. The AI-guided Scientist-mentored Primary Literature Adaptation for STEMM Education (ASPIRATION) program was developed to teach these skills through the creation of infographics. Over eight weeks, students followed a structured curriculum, learning to analyze research articles, simplify content using artificial intelligence (AI), and craft visually engaging infographics. AI was introduced as a tool to assist with simplification, while students took full responsibility for understanding and synthesizing the material. The program also exposed students to cutting-edge research and technologies, further enriching their experience. The program culminated in a symposium where students presented their work as posters, oral presentations, and lightning talks. By emphasizing creative freedom, accessibility, and scientific accuracy, the program enabled students to enhance their scientific literacy, develop skills in writing, visual communication, and AI use, and build confidence in public speaking. Analyses of pre- and post-program surveys in this report demonstrated improvements in students' scientific literacy, critical thinking, and familiarity with key aspects of scientific research. Notable gains were observed in students' confidence in understanding scientific literature, writing abstracts, and experimental methods, as well as their awareness of STEM career opportunities. The program's hands-on approach and use of AI tools proved effective in enhancing students' skills and preparing them for future STEMM endeavors.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1491184
Database: ERIC
FullText Links:
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  Data: ASPIRATION: Empowering High School Students with Scientific Literacy and Communications through AI and Mentorship
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Shixia+Huang%22">Shixia Huang</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Guowei+Gu%22">Guowei Gu</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Shin+Crystal%22">Shin Crystal</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Xiao+Lin%22">Xiao Lin</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sara+Adio-Oduola%22">Sara Adio-Oduola</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Alana+D%2E+Newell%22">Alana D. Newell</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Zhongcheng+Shi%22">Zhongcheng Shi</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sophie+Zhang%22">Sophie Zhang</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Yuan+Yao%22">Yuan Yao</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Michael+Nguyen%22">Michael Nguyen</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Zaniqua+Bullock%22">Zaniqua Bullock</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+STEM+Education%3A+Innovations+and+Research%22"><i>Journal of STEM Education: Innovations and Research</i></searchLink>. 2025 26(4):42-50.
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  Data: Institute for STEM Education and Research. P.O. Box 4001, Auburn, AL 36831. Tel: 334-844-3360; Web site: https://www.jstem.org
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  Data: 9
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22High+Schools%22">High Schools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Secondary+Education%22">Secondary Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22High+School+Students%22">High School Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Primary+Sources%22">Primary Sources</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Scientific+Literacy%22">Scientific Literacy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Scientific+Research%22">Scientific Research</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22STEM+Education%22">STEM Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Artificial+Intelligence%22">Artificial Intelligence</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Program+Design%22">Program Design</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Program+Implementation%22">Program Implementation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Program+Effectiveness%22">Program Effectiveness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Science+Education%22">Science Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Communication+Skills%22">Communication Skills</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Science+Programs%22">Science Programs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mentors%22">Mentors</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Empowerment%22">Student Empowerment</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Technology+Uses+in+Education%22">Technology Uses in Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Critical+Thinking%22">Critical Thinking</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Skill+Development%22">Skill Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Visual+Aids%22">Visual Aids</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Active+Learning%22">Active Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Public+Speaking%22">Public Speaking</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Texas+%28Houston%29%22">Texas (Houston)</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.63504/jstem.v26i4.2738
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  Data: 1526-2367<br />1557-5284
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Introducing high school students to primary scientific literature in an accessible format fosters early scientific literacy and critical thinking. The AI-guided Scientist-mentored Primary Literature Adaptation for STEMM Education (ASPIRATION) program was developed to teach these skills through the creation of infographics. Over eight weeks, students followed a structured curriculum, learning to analyze research articles, simplify content using artificial intelligence (AI), and craft visually engaging infographics. AI was introduced as a tool to assist with simplification, while students took full responsibility for understanding and synthesizing the material. The program also exposed students to cutting-edge research and technologies, further enriching their experience. The program culminated in a symposium where students presented their work as posters, oral presentations, and lightning talks. By emphasizing creative freedom, accessibility, and scientific accuracy, the program enabled students to enhance their scientific literacy, develop skills in writing, visual communication, and AI use, and build confidence in public speaking. Analyses of pre- and post-program surveys in this report demonstrated improvements in students' scientific literacy, critical thinking, and familiarity with key aspects of scientific research. Notable gains were observed in students' confidence in understanding scientific literature, writing abstracts, and experimental methods, as well as their awareness of STEM career opportunities. The program's hands-on approach and use of AI tools proved effective in enhancing students' skills and preparing them for future STEMM endeavors.
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        Value: 10.63504/jstem.v26i4.2738
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      – Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: High School Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Primary Sources
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Scientific Literacy
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      – SubjectFull: Scientific Research
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: STEM Education
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      – SubjectFull: Artificial Intelligence
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      – SubjectFull: Program Design
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      – SubjectFull: Program Implementation
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      – SubjectFull: Program Effectiveness
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      – SubjectFull: Mentors
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