Federal Grant Award Summary

Knox College received a $149,992 Project Grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure under the Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) program (CFDA 47.070), awarded July 15, 2026, with a completion date of June 30, 2030. The ACAI-TRAIN project develops comprehensive instructor training and curriculum materials to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI), big data analytics, and advanced cyberinfrastructure concepts into three foundational computing courses: the introductory programming sequence and computer systems course. The project delivers these products and services through three intensive in-person summer workshops, six hybrid tutorials at major conferences, and complementary online workshops, with the objective of training approximately 200 current and future instructors.

The trained instructors receive classroom-tested teaching exemplars, adaptable course materials, and pedagogical guidance to confidently implement modern computing topics in early-stage courses. Participating instructors subsequently adapt and deploy these materials at their home institutions, generating evaluation data and refined resources that enable broader adoption across the computing education community. With potential impact on approximately 250,000 students over 5-10 years, the project addresses a critical workforce development need by ensuring all computing majors, not solely those in advanced electives, develop essential skills in AI and cyberinfrastructure technologies central to national competitiveness.