Eager: national AI entry pathways

The National Science Foundation Division of Information and Intelligent Systems awarded Miami-Dade College Wolfson Campus $299,990 on April 15, 2026, to establish and operate the National AI Entry Pathways Initiative under the Computer and Information Science and Engineering program (CFDA 47.070).

The award funds development of a national hub for AI professional development and instructional resources for high school educators. Core deliverables include a year-long National AI Teacher Academy providing structured professional development to at least 600 credentialed high school career and technical education and computer science teachers, with support for attainment of industry-recognized AI credentials and classroom implementation of new AI course content. The project develops and curates a freely accessible online repository of ready-to-use AI instructional artifacts and establishes a national community of practice supported by regular convenings and a monthly newsletter.

Performance occurs in Miami, Florida. The period of performance runs through January 31, 2028. The project addresses the shortage of high school teachers adequately prepared to teach artificial intelligence and responds to goals outlined in NSF Dear Colleague Letter NSF 25-035 regarding advancing AI education for American youth.

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the economy and workforce, yet most high school teachers are not adequately prepared to teach this emerging subject due to limited access to high-quality AI education and an overwhelming flood of disconnected materials. Many teachers face fragmented training opportunities and limited guidance on how to introduce AI concepts effectively in classrooms. This project addresses this national challenge by expanding access to coherent, high-quality AI professional development and instructional resources for high school educators across the united states. By building on a proven teacher-training model and leveraging a strong national network of academic and industry partners, the project aims to strengthen AI literacy, expand access to AI education, and prepare students for participation in an AI-driven workforce. Accordingly, this project contributes to the goals stated in the dear colleague letter NSF 25-035 regarding advancing AI education for the american youth. The project establishes the national AI entry pathways initiative as a national hub for AI training, resources, and professional collaboration for high school teachers. Core activities include delivering a year-long national AI teacher academy that provides structured professional development to at least 600 credentialed high school career and technical education and computer science teachers, supporting attainment of industry-recognized AI credentials, and facilitating classroom implementation of new AI course content. The project also develops and curates a freely accessible online repository of ready-to-use AI instructional artifacts and builds a national community of practice supported by regular convenings and a monthly newsletter. Collectively, these activities expand national capacity for AI education at the high school level and create sustainable pathways for continued growth beyond the project period. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are not planned for this award.