NJDOE’s K-12 AI Curriculum for 11-18 Year Olds
Aligned with NJDOE’s K-12 Expectations for AI and Information Literacy
AI Literacy for K-12
This program enables schools and youth organizations to effectively meet New Jersey’s evolving mandate for comprehensive AI literacy. Students will develop a strong foundation in AI principles, understand its ethical implications, and acquire practical skills for AI application and creation, preparing them for future careers. This initiative provides a coherent, scaffolded AI-learning journey, integrated across all grade levels, moving beyond a standalone elective. It is meticulously aligned with state standards and designed for practical implementation by educators and youth leaders.
21 distinct courses have been expertly designed to develop both foundational AI literacy and advanced skills. The course list is organised into these eight categories:
How Life Hub Meets NJDOE’s K-12 Expectations for AI and Information Literacy
Enhanced Skills for AI Navigation
The NJDOE emphasizes the need for students to develop “enhanced skills to identify and navigate the use of these AI systems,” reflecting the critical importance of AI literacy in today's educational landscape. nj.gov
Comprehensive Resources for Schools
To support this, the NJDOE has provided comprehensive resources for school districts to “understand, prepare for, implement and manage AI in the school setting.” This initiative is designed to ensure “every student is equipped with the knowledge and skills in working with AI to help prepare them for success in the classroom and beyond graduation.” nj.gov
Mandated Information Literacy
New Jersey law (S-588 / P.L. 2022, c.138) mandates K-12 instruction in information literacy, a field encompassing AI literacy. This foundational skill is defined as the ability to recognize information needs, and effectively locate, evaluate, and utilize information across various digital, visual, media, textual, and technological formats. New Jersey School Boards Association
AI Literacy Connection
The NJDOE’s Information Literacy practice briefs explicitly connect to AI literacy by highlighting essential skills required to discern credible sources, accurately evaluate information, and confidently navigate complex digital and technological systems. nj.gov
AI Learning Pathway
Learners begin with “What Is AI?”, move into how machines learn and think, progress to practical AI-tool use, and then advance into creation with AI. The pathway culminates in career readiness, entrepreneurial frameworks, future-studies thinking, and specialised topics.
This scaffolded sequence allows students to build conceptual understanding, tool-use fluency, and then apply AI in meaningful real-world and career contexts.
Curriculum
Course 1
What Is AI? Foundations of Artificial Intelligence
Course Category(s): Artificial Intelligence / Technology Skills / Science
Learning Outcome #1: Define artificial intelligence and identify key examples of AI used in everyday life.
Learning Outcome #2: Explain the difference between human intelligence, machine learning, and AI-driven decision making.
Learning Outcome #3: Evaluate the ethical and social impacts of AI in modern society.
Why This Subject Matters #1: AI shapes how we work, learn, and interact—understanding its foundations builds digital literacy for the future.
Course 2
How Machines Think – Learning, Bias & Ethics
Course Category(s): Artificial Intelligence / Ethics / Data
Learning Outcome #1: Explain how AI learns through algorithms and data.
Learning Outcome #2: Identify examples of bias in AI systems and discuss their societal implications of AI. The learning approach fosters curiosity, playful experimentation, and ethical awareness through relatable scenarios.
Learning Outcome #3: Evaluate ethical dilemmas that arise from machine decision-making.
Why This Subject Matters #1: Understanding how machines "think" builds critical awareness of how data shapes technology outcomes.
Course 3
Everyday AI Tools
Course Category(s): Artificial Intelligence / Productivity / Digital Literacy
Learning Outcome #1: Identify popular AI tools used in communication, creativity, and productivity.
Learning Outcome #2: Demonstrate how to use AI tools effectively for writing, image generation, and organization.
Learning Outcome #3: Evaluate the pros and cons of relying on AI tools in everyday tasks.
Why This Subject Matters #1: AI tools are transforming how people learn, work, and express creativity.
Course 4
Creating with AI
Course Category(s): Artificial Intelligence / Creativity / Innovation
Learning Outcome #1: Use AI tools to create digital products such as images, videos, or stories.
Learning Outcome #2: Explain how human creativity guides AI outputs.
Learning Outcome #3: Reflect on how AI enhances but does not replace original thinking.
Why This Subject Matters #1: Creativity remains one of the most valuable human skills in an AI-powered world.
Course 5
AI for School, Work & Life
Course Category(s): Artificial Intelligence / Productivity / Career Readiness
Learning Outcome #1: Apply AI tools to organize schedules, write, and problem-solve effectively.
Learning Outcome #2: Demonstrate how AI can support time management, learning, and communication.
Learning Outcome #3: Evaluate which AI tools are most useful for specific academic or personal goals.
Why This Subject Matters #1: AI literacy prepares students for school success and future workplace efficiency.
Course 6
AI in Careers & Entrepreneurship
Course Category(s): Artificial Intelligence / Career Development / Entrepreneurship
Learning Outcome #1: Identify emerging AI-driven careers and business opportunities.
Learning Outcome #2: Design a simple business idea that leverages AI tools or automation.
Learning Outcome #3: Analyze how AI is transforming existing industries.
Why This Subject Matters #1: AI is opening entirely new career paths across technology, healthcare, business, and beyond.
Course 7
The Future of AI in Work and Society (Next 5–10 Years)
Course Category(s): Artificial Intelligence / Future Studies / Economics
Learning Outcome #1: Predict near-future trends in AI adoption across industries.
Learning Outcome #2: Discuss how automation may change jobs and social structures.
Learning Outcome #3: Evaluate policies and skills needed to thrive in an AI-augmented society.
Why This Subject Matters #1: The next decade will redefine how people work, collaborate, and innovate.
Course 8
AI and Robotics – The Long-Term Future (20–30 Years)
Course Category(s): Artificial Intelligence / Robotics / Long-Term Innovation
Learning Outcome #1: Describe the relationship between AI and robotics in developing autonomous systems.
Learning Outcome #2: Imagine and communicate a vision for human-machine collaboration in the far future.
Learning Outcome #3: Discuss the potential societal, economic, and ethical implications of advanced robotics.
Why This Subject Matters #1: Robotics and AI together represent the next major leap in human innovation.
Course 9
AI Mastermind Level 1
Course Category(s): Artificial Intelligence / Problem Solving / Critical Thinking
Learning Outcome #1: Demonstrate how to use AI prompts effectively to generate targeted outputs.
Learning Outcome #2: Apply structured thinking and questioning to guide AI responses.
Learning Outcome #3: Evaluate the accuracy and reliability of AI-generated results.
Why This Subject Matters #1: Strong prompting and evaluation skills are the foundation of effective AI use.
Course 10
AI Mastermind Level 2
Course Category(s): Artificial Intelligence / Advanced Applications / Innovation
Learning Outcome #1: Integrate multiple AI tools to complete complex, multi-step projects.
Learning Outcome #2: Develop custom AI workflows for problem-solving or creative design.
Learning Outcome #3: Reflect on how to use AI for innovation while maintaining ethical balance.
Why This Subject Matters #1: Advanced AI literacy enables students to automate, innovate, and lead.
Course 11
AI In Your World
Course Category(s): Artificial Intelligence / Real-World Application / Reflection
Learning Outcome #1: Identify how AI influences personal life, education, and global systems.
Learning Outcome #2: Investigate how AI affects privacy, creativity, and communication.
Learning Outcome #3: Develop a personal AI code of ethics and best practices for everyday use.
Why This Subject Matters #1: AI is not just a tool—it's part of every student's digital environment.
Course 12
Becoming a Machine Learning Expert
Course Category(s): Artificial Intelligence / Data Science / Advanced AI
Learning Outcome #1: Explain how machine learning models are trained and tested using data.
Learning Outcome #2: Compare supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning approaches.
Learning Outcome #3: Evaluate how model performance impacts real-world AI applications.
Why This Subject Matters #1: Machine learning powers the most advanced AI systems in the world.
Course 13
Understanding Natural Language Processing
Course Category(s): Artificial Intelligence / Linguistics / Computer Science
Learning Outcome #1: Describe how AI processes and generates human language.
Learning Outcome #2: Analyze examples of NLP applications such as chatbots and translation tools.
Learning Outcome #3: Evaluate the ethical and accuracy challenges in NLP systems.
Why This Subject Matters #1: NLP is the bridge between human communication and AI understanding.
Course 14
AI Tools Series – ChatGPT
Course Category(s): Artificial Intelligence / Productivity / Communication
Learning Outcome #1: Demonstrate how to effectively use ChatGPT for writing, brainstorming, and research.
Learning Outcome #2: Apply prompting strategies to improve quality and precision of AI responses.
Learning Outcome #3: Reflect on ethical considerations and plagiarism risks with AI writing.
Why This Subject Matters #1: ChatGPT is one of the most widely used AI tools globally for communication and learning.
Course 15
AI Tools Series – Study Tools
Course Category(s): Artificial Intelligence / Academic Skills / Productivity
Learning Outcome #1: Identify AI tools designed to improve studying, organization, and learning retention.
Learning Outcome #2: Demonstrate how AI can summarize, quiz, and guide learning progress.
Learning Outcome #3: Evaluate which AI tools best fit individual learning styles.
Why This Subject Matters #1: AI-powered study tools make learning more accessible and personalized.
1
Course 16
AI Tools Series – Art and Design
Course Category(s): Artificial Intelligence / Creativity / Visual Media
Learning Outcome #1: Use AI tools to generate art, design, and creative visual projects.
Learning Outcome #2: Compare human and AI-generated artistic processes.
Learning Outcome #3: Discuss ethics and originality in AI art creation.
Why This Subject Matters #1: AI expands creative potential beyond traditional art methods.
2
Course 17
AI Tools Series – DALL·E
Course Category(s): Artificial Intelligence / Visual Arts / Design Tools
Learning Outcome #1: Create original AI-generated images using DALL·E.
Learning Outcome #2: Apply descriptive prompts to achieve detailed visual outcomes.
Learning Outcome #3: Analyze the balance between creative control and algorithmic influence.
Why This Subject Matters #1: DALL·E represents how imagination meets machine learning in art.
3
Course 18
AI Tools Series – Gamma
Course Category(s): Artificial Intelligence / Presentation Design / Communication
Learning Outcome #1: Use Gamma to generate visual presentations efficiently.
Learning Outcome #2: Apply design and narrative structure principles to AI-generated presentations.
Learning Outcome #3: Evaluate how AI presentation tools can enhance communication and collaboration.
Why This Subject Matters #1: Presentation AI tools save time and elevate communication quality.
Course 19
AI Tools Series – Career and Productivity
Course Category(s): Artificial Intelligence / Career Readiness / Professional Skills
Learning Outcome #1: Use AI tools for résumé creation, time management, and goal tracking.
Learning Outcome #2: Analyze how automation can improve efficiency and organization.
Learning Outcome #3: Apply AI strategies to prepare for interviews or professional networking.
Why This Subject Matters #1: AI enhances personal productivity and career preparation.
Course 20
AI Tools Series – Gemini
Course Category(s): Artificial Intelligence / Research / Search Literacy
Learning Outcome #1: Use Google Gemini to conduct AI-powered research and writing tasks.
Learning Outcome #2: Compare Gemini's functions to other AI tools for speed and accuracy.
Learning Outcome #3: Evaluate the credibility and ethical considerations of AI-generated research.
Why This Subject Matters #1: Gemini represents the next evolution of AI-powered search and knowledge discovery.
Course 21
AI Tools Series – Learning AI Coding
Course Category(s): Artificial Intelligence / Computer Science / Programming
Learning Outcome #1: Explain key programming concepts such as algorithms, datasets, and neural networks.
Learning Outcome #2: Write and test simple AI models or scripts using beginner coding tools.
Learning Outcome #3: Reflect on how coding drives innovation in AI systems.
Why This Subject Matters #1: Learning to code in AI develops problem-solving and analytical thinking.
Curriculum Adapted for Learners Aged 11-14 and 15-18
Ages 11-14
Our curriculum is designed to cater to the developmental stages and learning styles of both middle school (11-14) and high school (15-18) students. For the younger age group, content focuses on concrete examples, interactive activities, and guided exploration to build foundational understanding and critical thinking skills related to AI's everyday impact. The learning approach emphasizes abstract concepts, advanced applications, and complex causes.
Ages 15-18
For older students (15-18), the curriculum delves deeper into independent research, problem-solving, and a more nuanced understanding of AI's technical underpinnings and future potential. Content is differentiated by introducing more sophisticated tools, complex case studies, and opportunities for project-based learning that align with career exploration and advanced academic interests.