The Mind Meadow Technique: A Creative Engineering Workshop for Artificial Intelligence Development

The Mind Meadow Technique:A Creative Engineering Workshop for Artificial Intelligence Development Camille Camejo (bio) and Damola Idowu (bio) Connections to High School: Self-realization is a common and required step when determining one's personal and professional direction in or outside of academia, especially during high school when life decisions are made. The core of The Spectral Theory's Mind Meadow Technique is to emphasize event versus context by considering intent versus impact, in regards to ourselves, our communities, and the world. The context of any scholar's matriculation through academia and life extends the scope of each pivotal event experienced along the way. Reflectively, the scope of intent for any self-defined creative or engineer plays a direct role in the extent of their community impact. Through applying The Spectral Theory's approach to TOYZSTEAM's chatbot-building workshop, we provide a creatively engaging engineering curriculum to demonstrate the accomplishments of African Americans in science and highlight introspective tools gained and utilized through the imagination of processes for internalization, brainstorming, and artificial intelligence (AI) development. Goals and Objectives: ○ Creative engineering workshop applying The Spectral Theory's Mind Meadow Technique to TOYZSTEAM's AI development curriculum ○ Gain fundamental user experience (UX) research and AI skills, understanding their importance and their impact across industries ○ Learn about the legacy of African Americans in STEM ○ Express and symbolize inner thoughts through superhero storytelling ○ Socio-emotional learning, encouraging self-awareness through problem solving National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) Standards: 1. Individual Development and Identity Expectations ● Guide learners to gain a sense of their personal STEM identity by analyzing the influence of aligning STEM pioneers who have made impactful change in their respective fields 2. Science, Technology, and Society Expectations ● Guide learners to identify roles STEM pioneers and technology-based solutions play in our lives and in our cultures Teacher Resources: 1. The Spectral Theory: A creative engineering platform teaching engineering concepts through relationships between ourselves and other people. ○ For information about this curriculum adaptation and more introspective ways to integrate creative engineering workshops in your classroom, please visit our Depth and Breadth section at thespectraltheory.com or email academy@thespectraltheory.com. 2. TOYZSTEAM: A virtual engineering education platform teaching STEM through superhero rap. ○ Feel free to contact TOYZSTEAM via toyzelectronics.com to learn about ways you can integrate their mobile solution in your classroom and begin leading your next chatbot workshop. [End Page 31] 3. Workshop Requirements ○ Journaling resources for self-expression (writing tools, paper, markers, any creative or STEM magazines, etc.) ○ Computer (optional) Workshop Description: The Spectral Theory defines the Mind Meadow as the internal, creative space we mentally step into when we develop any technological solution. Here is where we make definitive choices about our life's truths: a safe and peaceful space where all ideas are allowed to flow and blossom as they please, with respect to the definitions we set for them. All ideas can grow into innovative technical solutions in the Mind Meadow. To begin this workshop, we will create our Mind Meadow, a space for imagination and intentional impact analysis, before brainstorming a community-driven solution to a universal problem. After setting this environment, we will practice the five core brainstorming steps: (1) impact analysis, (2) internalization, (3) intent setting, (4) abstract problem solving, and (5) externalization. This will prepare us for an optional post-workshop development session via the TOYZSTEAM platform. For this activity, we simplify the Universal Systems Model of inputs, processes, outputs, and feedback by excluding the feedback step. In reality, feedback is always important when considering a solution. However, in this workshop, we will be placing more emphasis on the inputs, processes, and outputs of our STEM heroes' chatbot solutions. To view a full visual of our Universal Systems Model in relation to various creative, engineering, or mental health experiences, please visit thespectraltheory.com. Click for larger view View full resolution Figure 1. Spectral Theory Universal Systems Model applied to TOYZSTEAM's chatbot curriculum. Breaking down the preliminary processes of AI development through the lens of inputs, processes, and outputs. Click for larger view View full resolution Figure 2. The Mind Meadow Technique applied to TOYZSTEAM's chatbot curriculum. Gain exposure...