Students across the district learn about AI at event

Adams 12 Hosts Elevate AI Site Visit, Showcasing Student-Led Innovation and Educator Collaboration

Adams 12 Five Star Schools hosted a site visit on April 9th at Northglenn High School to showcase its work in advancing AI education. As part of the statewide Elevate AI initiative organized by the Colorado Education Initiative (CEI), Adams 12 is one of eight districts across Colorado participating in a two-year grant focused on building AI literacy among students and educators.

Todd Corn, P-TECH Coordinator at Northglenn High School, led the event with support from district leaders Kerry Glenn, Anna Otto, and Ryan Pearse—all part of the Elevate AI grant team. Visitors from across the state were invited to see how Adams 12 is integrating AI into classrooms through hands-on student activities, curriculum development, and professional learning.

Kerry Glenn, District STEM Coordinator, facilitated the event, in which guests engaged with student-led stations from the school’s recent AI Week. Students demonstrated interactive activities in machine learning, ethical decision-making, AI bias, and real-world AI applications. Additionally, students highlighted their collaboration with Solid Power, an energy solutions industry partner.

Attendees also learned about the district's approach to building AI skills across grade levels. Kayla Burkel, Computer Science teacher at Silver Hills Middle School, and Anna Otto, Computer Science and Online Coordinator, presented the process behind developing both the middle school AI course and the high school course launching next school year. Ryan Pearse, Instructional Technology Coordinator, shared the professional learning opportunities available to teachers. The turnkey sessions and self-paced online courses are designed to help educators meaningfully integrate AI into their instruction and have had over 500 participants thus far.

Additionally, three NGHS teachers—Kathy Evenson, English Teacher; Dexter McNabb, Counselor; and Tanner May, Special Education Teacher—shared how they are actively using AI tools to support teaching and learning in their roles.

The message was clear: when students lead, teachers innovate, and AI becomes a tool for real learning, the future isn't coming, it's already here.

Special thanks to the Northglenn High School community for submitting this Five Star Story.

This story exemplifies our ELEVATE Focus Area: 21st Century Learners. Sharing stories of students who collaborate, think critically, problem-solve and are digitally literate to thrive in today’s ever-changing world.