MSM 683: Going Bananas on AI
Summary:
Shawn and Troy enjoyed vacation and chat about anagrams, AI and more. Dave creatively talks about creativity in Science.
Jokes:
You can’t run through a campsite.
- You can only ran, because it’s past tents.
Some cause happiness wherever they go, some whenever they go.
What do you call a small pepper in late autumn?
- A little chili.
The local baker has red hair.
- He’s the ginger bread man.
Middle School Science Minute
by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or davidbydlowski@mac.com)
K12Science Podcast: Creativity
I was recently reading the November-December 2025 issue of “Science and Children”, a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.
In this issue, I read the section, “Editor’s Note” written by Elizabeth Barrett-Zahn. She wrote an article entitled, “Making Space for Creativity.”
Now more than ever, the ability to think creatively has become most essential. Creative thinking through a discerning lens pushes students to think abstractly, consider diverse perspectives, and embrace unconventional approaches.
https://k12science.net/creativity/
Reports from the Front Lines
- Anagrams in H5P
- “AI” Yourself
- AMLE Search for Executive Director – Thank you to Stephanie Simpson
The Social Web
Teaching kids how to disagree without being disagreeable? Yes, please! Check out this completely FREE Middle Grades Civil Discourse Curriculum created through a partnership between the AMLE and @RonaldReagan. This non-partisan resource is built specifically for middle school advisory periods and aims to help kids: Listen to understand Disagree respectfully Engage in constructive dialogue Through fun, relationship-focused activities, kids build empathy, sharpen communication skills, and get ready to engage with all kinds of perspectives as thoughtful citizens. Download it today: http://amle.org/civildiscourse
BLACK FRIDAY DEAL ALERT! Stock up on the best middle grades resources and save 10% site-wide at the AMLE Bookstore! Use code BLACKFRIDAY10 at checkout. Offer valid through Cyber Monday, December 1st. Shop now: http://amle.org/store
Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! Here are just a few of the many awesome middle level educators we are thankful for: https://ow.ly/lOm450XunUV
Eric Curts @ericcurts.bsky.social
🍌 Gemini Goes Bananas: The Ultimate Guide to AI Infographics – www.controlaltachieve.com/2025/11/info… ℹ️ 28 Sample Educational Infographics 📄 Infographic Prompts 🎨 Visual Style Ideas 🔄 Layout Ideas 💡 Tips & Tricks #EduSky #EduSkyAI #EdTech #GoogleEDU #Gemini
Ron King @mthman.bsky.social
Good morning from the #PNW #pnwonderland
otacke @otacke.chaos.social.ap.brid.gy
Didn’t I publish #H5P 3D Hostpots on Tuesday? Hey, that was two days ago already. Time for yet another content type, right? Say hello to StoryMap … www.olivertacke.de/labs/2025/11…
You probably missed the world premiere at #OERcamp global, but here’s a new a #H5P content type for your collection: 3D Image Hotspots www.olivertacke.de/labs/2025/11…
Resources:
Thinking in Public: Ed Ayers and American Anguish, American Freedom: A Conversation about the Civil War with Historian Edward L. Ayers
Edward Ayers combines some of the most interesting responsibilities. He has been president of the University of Richmond, but he is also one of the most published historians of American history. He’s a scholar. He has also been involved in the Academy. Indeed, he has served as president of the Organization of American Historians completing his term in 2017/2018. President Barack Obama awarded him the National Humanities medal in 2013.
https://albertmohler.com/2019/05/20/edward-ayers/
AXIS The Culture Translator – Questions for Teens
- What’s something you’re really excited about right now?
- What’s the funniest trend or meme you’ve come across lately?
- If you could permanently fix one issue in our culture, what would you choose?
- What’s one way you’ve changed this year?
- If TEMU offered you $2,000 to represent their brand on your platform, would you do it?
- What band or musician do you think is seriously overrated? What about underrated?
- Has anything you’ve watched, read, or listened to changed you this year? What was it and how did it change you?
- What’s one show that you think more people should watch?
- Are there any new skills you’re trying to develop, or want to try to develop?
- What’s something you’re looking forward to in 2026?
- If you could be a social media influencer known for only one thing, what would that be?
- Serious question: why do you think so many people started saying “67” this year? Why did that catch on?
- Why do you think Daylight Saving Time still exists?
- Does a hot dog count as a sandwich? Why or why not?
- When the history books mention 2025, what do you think will be included? What won’t be?
Web Spotlight:
Supporting Neurodivergent Teachers: How Schools Can Help the Helpers
https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/neurodivergent-teachers
Random Thoughts . . .
Day of AI and Common Sense Media Launch Essential Toolkit for Parents and Families: “Talking to Kids About AI — Privacy, Fairness, and Responsibility”
Second Video in “What Is AI for Families” Series turns complex AI issues into meaningful family conversations
Cambridge, MA — November 17, 2025 — Day of AI and Common Sense Media today announced the release of a new AI literacy video and toolkit for families and educators. These resources come after recent research from Common Sense Media revealed that roughly 75% of teens are using AI companion chatbots — which are unsafe for kids under 18 — but only a third of parents know that their children are using them.
Titled “Talking to Kids About AI: Privacy, Fairness, and Responsibility,” this latest installment in the “What Is AI for Families” series explores key topics such as data privacy, algorithmic bias, misinformation, and the importance of maintaining human connection in a digital world. The video and toolkit are designed to translate complex AI concepts into clear, age-appropriate information to help families use AI safely and responsibly.
As part of its broader national movement, “Responsible AI for America’s Youth,” Day of AI and partner MIT RAISE are working to empower educators, students, and families with AI literacy tools. This toolkit supports that mission by providing parents a pathway to understand and discuss the technology that is increasingly reshaping their kids’ lives.
“Families shouldn’t need computer science degrees to learn how to use AI safely,” said Common Sense Media Chief Program Officer Yvette Renteria. “When combined with comprehensive digital literacy education like Common Sense Media’s Digital Literacy & Well-Being Curriculum, this new toolkit gives kids and families the tools they need to responsibly navigate our ever-evolving, AI-powered digital world. Common Sense Media thanks Day of AI for their partnership in our efforts to bring AI literacy to families everywhere.”
“We’re grateful to our partners at Common Sense Media for joining us in this critical effort to help families understand AI,” said Jeffrey Riley, Executive Director of Day of AI and former Massachusetts Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education. “Too often, parents are left to navigate this technology without clear information about what their kids are using or how it affects them. Recent tragedies have made clear how risky these tools can be when they’re misunderstood or misused. Families everywhere need guidance, and this resource continues to be an important step toward helping them keep their kids safe and informed.”
The Talking to Kids About AI Toolkit includes:
- Conversation starters tailored for different age groups
- Hands-on activities that build understanding of algorithms, bias, and digital privacy
- Reflection prompts that strengthen media literacy and critical thinking
- A glossary and curated resource links for continued learning
Developed as part of the ongoing Day of AI × Common Sense Media partnership, this toolkit supports a growing national effort to advance AI literacy among families and schools.
Watch the video and download the free toolkit at https://dayofai.org/families/family-tools/. Additionally, Common Sense Media and Day of AI will host a LinkedIn Live event on Wednesday, December 10th at 1 PM ET to explore how parents and educators can use the new toolkit to guide safe and informed conversations about AI.
About Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive. Our ratings, research, and resources reach more than 150 million users worldwide, over 1.4 million educators, and more than 100,000 schools worldwide every year. Learn more at commonsense.org.
About Day of AI
Born at MIT in 2021 through the Institute’s RAISE (Responsible AI for Social Empowerment and Education) initiative, Day of AI enables K–12 students, families, and educators to thrive in the age of artificial intelligence. Now an independent nonprofit, Day of AI continues to collaborate closely with MIT’s world-class researchers to equip educators with the tools and knowledge to teach AI responsibly—fostering critical thinking, creativity, and digital literacy across schools and communities. Learn more and download our free K12 curriculum, access professional development to educators teaching ai in K12 schools and find information free resources at www.dayofai.org
About “Responsible AI for America’s Youth”
Day of AI and MIT RAISE have just launched a year-long, nationwide campaign, “Responsible AI for America’s Youth,” providing the tools of AI literacy to K-12 teachers and students across the country. Last week marked the launch of a series of up to 20 weekly virtual trainings available to all U.S. teachers, the most extensive offering of its kind, with educators from all 50 states already registering for the program. Over the next nine months Day of AI and its partners will be working with teachers from coast to coast and bringing their best-in-class AI literacy curriculum to school communities across the country, hosting events and student competitions in different subject areas, including civics and arts. All of this will build up to a culminating weekend July 2026 at MIT, where 250 top students and teachers will be brought to Cambridge/Boston by Day of AI and MIT RAISE for “America’s Youth AI Festival,” all as part of our country’s 250th anniversary.
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