A series of workshops aimed at introducing children to artificial intelligence was successfully conducted for participants aged 10–14 as a part of Silesian Science Festival. The sessions provided an engaging blend of practical activities designed to spark curiosity and foster foundational skills in programming and AI.
The workshops began with a concise introduction to artificial intelligence, explaining its basic principles and real-world applications. Participants were encouraged to think critically about AI’s role in society, with special attention given to its ethical and social implications. This discussion helped young learners consider not only the possibilities of AI but also the responsibilities that come with its development and use.
The hands-on portion of the workshops featured activities in Scratch and Python, where children created mini-games utilizing machine learning. Through these projects, participants explored how AI can recognize and respond to images, text, and sounds. This interactive approach allowed them to see the practical side of AI, turning abstract concepts into tangible experiences.
An essential part of the workshop was the introduction of the Priscilla platform, an open educational resource developed as part of the FITPED-AI project. The platform provided participants with tools and resources to continue their learning journey beyond the workshop, combining AI concepts with programming in a user-friendly environment. Organisers: Dr. hab. Małgorzata Przybyła-Kasperek, Dr. hab. Eugenia Smyrnova-Trybulska, Dr. Kornel Chromiński
