The University of Nevada, Reno’s College of Education & Human Development is playing a central role in a new four-year, $2.7 million federal initiative designed to expand artificial intelligence and computer science education in K–12 schools across Nevada.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education, the project is led by the Desert Research Institute, with the University receiving a $775,507 subaward to support educator preparation and training. The initiative focuses on strengthening pathways for both preservice and in-service teachers to develop the skills needed to teach computer science and artificial intelligence in K–12 classrooms.

Through the College of Education & Human Development’s Raggio Center for Advancement in (STEM)², Mandi Collins, Ph.D., serves as principal investigator for the University’s components of the project, alongside co-principal investigators McKenna Lane, Ph.D. and Megan Beckam, Ph.D.

“While the project activities are mostly central to our area and our state, the broader impacts will result in greater access to quality resources that will support our teachers and learners to be successful with society’s advancing technologies,” Collins said.

As part of the project, the College of Education & Human Development will lead the development and support of intern and fellow networks. Over the 4-year grant period, the project will engage 30 undergraduate preservice teachers and 60 in-service K–12 educators from the Washoe County School District. Undergraduate interns will complete year-long internships involving approximately 300 hours of classroom-based engagement, paired with in-service teacher fellows who will mentor them through teaching and evaluating artificial intelligence and computer science lessons. Both groups will participate in quarterly trainings to build instructional knowledge and competencies.

 “What I love about these projects is the collaborations that are formed between our institutions and our community,” Collins said. “This program gives more access to our preservice teachers to practice their pedagogies, while supporting the needs of our in-service teachers and K–12 learners in schools. Computer science has historically been a challenge for educators to integrate into their classrooms, and the resources and professional development pathways that will result from this program will provide much needed support and professional opportunity.”

The College of Education & Human Development will also lead the development of a new K–12 Computer Science and AI Foundations Certificate Program consisting of three online courses required for a Nevada K–12 Introductory to Computer Science endorsement. The program addresses a gap in educator preparation by creating sustained access to required coursework for both preservice and in-service teachers and supporting long-term expansion of high-quality computer science and AI instruction statewide.

"By connecting year-long classroom internships, educator mentoring networks and a new AI and computer science certification pathway, this initiative creates a sustainable pipeline of teachers prepared to deliver high-quality computing education and strengthen Nevada’s future workforce," Associate Dean of Research Lindsay Diamond, Ph.D., remarked.