STAIR at GFA
Noa Reid ‘27
The Student Taskforce for AI Research (STAIR) is a student-teacher partnership that is exploring how our GFA community engages with generative AI. I, Noa Reid, and members of STAIR are working together to design and conduct research that informs school practices so we can have a stronger shared understanding of the GFA experience. The question for this year is: “How are students experiencing learning here at GFA since the emergence of Artificial Intelligence?” This question is especially relevant today, as we all have mixed emotions about this new technology. Some of you may be feeling nervous and anxious about what the future may hold as it relates to AI, while others may be inspired and hopeful about its possibilities. When I first heard about STAIR, I was very excited to engage in conversations about what my peers consider fair and appropriate usage of AI. STAIR meets biweekly during lunch, and we have important, honest, and fun discussions about how AI is evolving, which in turn, is causing our approach to learning to shift. I was talking with Minna, a member of STAIR, and asked her, "Why did you join STAIR?" She replied: “I joined STAIR because I thought it would be a really interesting opportunity to work with my peers to create a positive environment at GFA.
Three weeks ago, the rest of the members and I had the opportunity to train with Professor Mary Madden, Senior Researcher and Adjunct Professor in Georgetown University’s Communications, Culture & Technology Program, during an in-school field trip. We met in the Oak room and started the day by introducing ourselves and talking about our favorite classes at GFA. Then we heard from Professor Madden, who introduced herself and explained why this research matters. She taught us how to collect qualitative and quantitative data, which the group and I plan to incorporate into our future work. We came up with AI-centered questions that we think hold value, as well as those we may want to ask members of the community. After that, we grouped them into categories and received feedback from Professor Madden. Then, Professor Madden did a mock interview with Mrs. O'Grady, and we learned what a professional interview looked like. We ended the day by going around and sharing what we learned and the new skills we gained.
Two weeks ago, Minna Reilly, Cannon Anderson, Aksel Rynearson, and I had the opportunity to present our work to the AI Faculty Learning Lab and to ask teachers which aspects of AI they are most interested in and concerned about. We started the discussion by sharing where we were on the mood meter regarding AI. Responses ranged from nervous to inspired, hopeful, and irritated. We also received many valuable questions from teachers.
Just last week, we gathered in the Oak Room again to revise our interviewing plans with Professor Madden over Zoom. With these plans solidified, the members of STAIR and I will begin our interviews soon. Consider the role AI has played in your life and the role of AI will have in the future.
