Key points:
- A new chemistry/AI curriculum designed by university researchers for high school students is grabbing their attention.
- In the study, students visually compared pH values on their own versus training a machine learning system.
- The results show the student-trained AI predictive model was about 5.5 times more precise than visual interpretations.
North Carolina State University researchers have developed a weeklong high school curriculum they say helps students quickly grasp concepts in both color chemistry and artificial intelligence, while simultaneously sparking their curiosity about science and the world around them.
For their study, researchers asked students to use their cellphone cameras to take pictures of pH test strips after wetting them in a variety of everyday liquids—beverages, pond or lake water, cosmetics and the like—and predict their pH values visually. The students were also given test strips with known pH levels taken with sophisticated instrumentation and asked to predict those visually.
Students entered their data into free machine learning software called Orange, which has no lines of code, making it easy for novices to work with. They worked to convert test strip images and pH values into predictions, with machine learning improving accuracy as it learned to delineate the more subtle changes in test strip color with the corresponding pH values. Students then compared their machine learning pH level predictions with their visual predictions and found that the AI predictions, though not perfect, were much closer to the true pH value than their visual predictions.
The results show the student-trained AI predictive model was about 5.5 times more precise than visual interpretations.
“We wanted students to think about the real-world implications of this type of testing, for example in underdeveloped places where drinking water might be an issue,” said study co-author Yang Zhang, assistant professor of textile engineering, chemistry and science. “You might not have a sophisticated instrument, but you really want to know if the pH level is less than 5 versus a 7.”
The researchers surveyed the students before and after the weeklong curriculum and found that they reported being more motivated to learn and more knowledgeable about both chemistry and AI.
“Students could see the relevance of cutting-edge technology when applied to real-world problems and scientific advancements,” said Shiyan Jiang, assistant professor of learning design and technology at NC State and co-corresponding author of the paper. “This practical application not only enhances their understanding of complex science concepts but also inspires them to explore innovative solutions, fostering a deeper appreciation for the intersection of cutting-edge technology and science, in particular chemistry.”