This week, our 8th grade scientists in Mrs. Lavarnway’s class explored technology in an "unplugged" way before ever opening their Chromebooks.

Working with our Director of Learning Technology, Justin Cowen, students participated in a hands-on “Source Sort” activity, where they evaluated and ranked different information sources for reliability. This helped them understand a key concept in AI: the quality of the output depends on the quality of the input. 

After building those critical thinking skills, students transitioned to their devices to learn about NotebookLM. They explored how teachers can design study supports and, more importantly, how students can create their own personalized study tools that match how they learn best.

It’s a great example of blending critical thinking, digital literacy, and AI in a meaningful way!