Federal Grant Award Summary

Carnegie Mellon University received a $923,193 Project Grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Undergraduate Education under the STEM Education program (CFDA 47.076), effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2030. The award funds development and implementation of an innovative three-week, hands-on learning unit designed to advance undergraduate artificial intelligence (AI) literacy through collaborative design and tangible learning experiences. The core product is a physical model—using a shaft loom as a boundary object—that makes the mathematical foundations of machine learning, specifically matrix factorization, accessible to diverse student populations. The unit integrates an intelligent conversational agent to support learning and is grounded in evidence-based pedagogical principles from cognitive science.

The project delivers both direct instructional materials and research outcomes through its Level 3 Engaged Student Learning framework. Intended products include curriculum documentation, implementation protocols, and empirical evidence on student learning outcomes related to conceptual understanding of AI systems, interdisciplinary problem-solving capabilities, and student confidence in reasoning about artificial intelligence technologies. By modeling how undergraduate education can prepare learners for an AI-enabled society, the project aims to produce a scalable, evidence-based instructional model adaptable across diverse institutional contexts. This work directly supports the NSF's broader objective to ensure all undergraduates develop foundational competency with AI technologies to participate meaningfully in public discourse and professional practice.