Lawrence Schools Is Getting $72K To Experiment With AI In Education

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — Lawrence Township Public Schools received a grant to foster the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the school district.

LTPS is among 10 school districts across the state to receive the “Artificial Intelligence Innovation in Education Grant” to support initiatives to advance the role of AI in the classrooms, the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) said Wednesday,

The school district got $72,805 in grant funds.

The grant is among two announced Wednesday under Gov. Phil Murphy’s fiscal year 2025 budget.

The second grant, “Expanding Career Pathways in Artificial Intelligence Grant,” will support two county vocational school districts to expand students’ knowledge and skills on how computers and software mimic human learning, reasoning, and motor skills.

“In New Jersey, we are committed to building up our innovation economy and investing in the next generation of tech leaders,” Murphy said.

“By giving our students the tools necessary to engage with AI, we are ensuring our state will remain a national leader in cutting-edge technological advancements and innovations for years to come. I look forward to seeing what these grant recipients are able to accomplish.”

Acting Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer said the school districts receiving these grants are at the forefront of the future of education.

“By embracing AI, they are preparing students to excel in a workforce that increasingly requires a deep understanding of how to leverage this technology,” Dehmer said.

“These programs are an important step toward ensuring that our classrooms not only integrate the latest technologies but also nurture the critical thinking and ethical understanding needed to thrive in the age of AI.”

New Jersey State Chief AI Strategist, Beth Simone Noveck, said the Garden State’s public schools have long set the standard for educational excellence, and these AI Innovation grants represent the next step forward.

“By thoughtfully integrating AI literacy and tools into our classrooms, we're democratizing access to these transformative technologies while preparing our next generation of leaders. Together, these grant programs will help us navigate technological AI advancements and support the development of best practices for responsible AI use in education that can benefit schools across our state, ensuring every New Jersey student has the opportunity to shape our AI-enabled future,” Noveck said.

The Artificial Intelligence Innovation in Education Grant will enable the development of new programs under two key areas - “Teaching with AI” and “Teaching about AI.”

The “Teaching with AI” component will support initiatives such as pilot programs using generative AI tools to enhance instructional practices, including the development of individualized tutoring, data analysis to improve instruction, and teacher training in AI integration.

The “Teaching about AI” component will focus on creating innovative curricula to promote AI literacy among students, including lessons on AI ethics and societal impacts; establishing AI-focused makerspaces to allow students to work together on projects and share ideas; and fostering AI-driven project-based learning opportunities.

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