For the second consecutive year, students enrolled in the Biomedical Science and Technology (BST) Academy at Chino High have organized an educational forum, featuring esteemed experts to inform the community about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in education.
The academy offers students a unique blend of a traditional high school experience while also delving into fields like cybersecurity and biomedical sciences with an emphasis on AI. Enrollment is selective, requiring students to apply.
Held on March 18, the after-school event included speakers from prestigious institutions such as Caltech, the University of Pennsylvania, and the California Department of Education.
Cindy Palacios, the assistant principal overseeing the BST, shared insights into the planning process: ‘The students of the Best Science Times Research Club initiated a plan to search for experts at the university and education department level and preview the background of potential speakers.’ She added, ‘They reached out via email, then connected virtually with each speaker. The speakers were graciously agreeable to attend the AI forum virtually and educate the audience.’
Ms. Palacios commented on the continuous evolution of technology and AI, stating that students are keen to organize further forums and incorporate additional experts.
Looking ahead, two new courses will be introduced at the BST in the 2025-26 school year, one of which will specifically explore the implications of AI in the medical field, according to Ms. Palacios.
During a March 20 board meeting, school board member Jon Monroe praised the students’ efforts, remarking, ‘We have a lot of extremely bright kids who will be running companies someday. It was outstanding to see them in action.’
Mr. Monroe also noted the recent legislative developments regarding AI in education: ‘A bill was recently signed into law to tackle the issue of how AI is incorporated into curriculum. It will be interesting to see what that looks like because although AI can be helpful, there are concerns about how it is used and who has access to it. Every great discovery that moves us forward can also have very detrimental uses.’
He believes that the BST students at Chino High will significantly influence the district’s future strategies for AI implementation, stating, ‘I see these students with great ideas bringing them forward to the district.’
During the forum, a student posed a question to one of the speakers, prompting the expert to respond in surprise, ‘How are you in high school?’
Katherine Goyette, the computer science coordinator for the California Department of Education, was among the speakers.
Mr. Monroe continued to emphasize the state’s focus on how AI will be integrated into classrooms, revealing that Ms. Goyette informed the panel about the formation of a working group aimed at establishing guidelines for governing this emerging technology.
Ms. Goyette invites interested parties, including parents and teachers, to apply for participation in this group at tinyurl.com/caaiworkgroup.
