Prompt with Purpose

Teaching Students to Use AI Responsibly

Strand Description

Join us for 12 hours of hands-on exploration as we define what it means to “Power Progress” through responsible AI integration. Prompt with Purpose is designed for PreK-12 educators looking for tangible ways to teach AI literacy and ethics. We will bridge the gap between AI curiosity and classroom reality, focusing on tools and techniques that prioritize student agency and critical analysis.

Strand Outcomes

By the end of this workshop, participants will:

  • Participants will learn the basic processes and tools of both of these fields and use them to develop an approach to addressing a problem or opportunity in their own work. We will brainstorm, collaborate, provide feedback and help you revise your design.
  • Participants will develop essential understanding of the principal components of computational thinking and how to apply those components to a problem of practice in their impact area.
  • Participants will develop basic understanding of a design thinking mindset and be able to distinguish design thinking from design process.  
  • Participants will be able to synthesize the elements of computational thinking and a design process to prototype possible solutions to a challenge they face in their work.

Strand Leaders

Stephanie Martitz | Middle School Science Maine Virtual Academy | Augusta, ME

Email: stephanie.martitz@maine.edu or 680smarty@gmail.com
Facebook: Steph Martitz
Instagram: smartz93

Steph Martitz is an online middle school Science teacher at Maine Virtual Academy (MEVA) out of Augusta. Steph works to bring 21st century skills and modern technology to  the classroom setting. Steph works with 7&8th grade students from across the state. Steph has a passion for teaching Science and bringing awareness of the importance of AI usage to the middle school and high school world. With 8 years of classroom experience and 7 as an online educator, Steph has the experience of both kinds of classroom settings. She holds a B.S in Elementary Education and is currently certified K-8 here in Maine and will graduate with her M. Ed. in Instructional Technology in the Spring of 2027 ceremony. Steph likes to learn and teach about different types of technology. 

A photo of Stephanie Martitz

Nick Pascarella | Technology Integrator | Great Salt Bay Community School | Damariscotta, MAine

npascarella@rsu48.org

Nick Pascarella is the Technology Integrator at Great Salt Bay Community School in Damariscotta, Maine, where he leads the charge in bringing digital literacy and modern tech to life in the classroom. With over 15 years of experience in Maine education, Nick has a passion for mentoring fellow teachers and streamlining district-wide curricula to make sure technology actually works for educators, not against them. He holds an M.S. in Education and will receive his EdS in Instructional Technology from the University of Maine this May. Currently, Nick is focused on the practical side of AI—helping teachers use tools like generative AI to save time on workflows and create more engaging, personalized learning experiences for their students.

A photo of Nick Pascarella