GSSM expands AI teacher program with Google grant and broadens global research placements

The Governor's School for Science and Mathematics told trustees it is expanding its AI and global initiatives after receiving a Google grant to develop teacher training and classroom resources.

President Dorsil said the grant supports a fellowship program that trains educators in AI and data science across two years: the first year emphasizes grounding and curriculum design; the second focuses on classroom application and resources that will be shared across K‑12 in the state. The school plans to add fellows (bringing the cohort to about 13 next year) and host a summer institute with 50 teacher slots and more than 200 applicants from 27 counties.

Why it matters: trustees heard that the project will produce a free resource bank for K‑12 teachers statewide and is positioned as a three‑year initiative that GSSM expects to sustain beyond grant funding. Staff said special‑education teachers and veteran teachers alike applied in large numbers, signaling cross‑district demand for practical AI integration guidance.

President Dorsil also reviewed expanded global programming for students: 26 institutions and 88 research mentors across five countries support rising seniors' research placements. The school described recent operational pivots: several India placements were canceled for travel reasons and students were reallocated to Germany and South Korea; an on‑campus biotechnology workshop will host more than 50 international teachers and students next week with limited student slots (24 student seats reported). Trustees heard the school is exploring additional sites (Taiwan, China) for future exchanges.

What’s next: staff will continue to scale fellows, prepare the summer institute and publish the resource bank; trustees received the update and asked no formal vote on the grant at this meeting.