Time for STEM4Girls Day! Join us for an inspiring event featuring our Keynote Speakers & Expert Panelists: Dr. Yasmin Kafai and Dr. Greses
Date: Friday, October 4, 2024 Location: Library Grand Reading Room Time: 2:30-4pm Please reach out to Kym Welty with any questions: kwelty@umassd.edu Dr. Yasmin Kafai (University of Pennsylvania) Title: Promoting Computational Empowerment for All: Youth Peer Auditing of Machine Learning-Powered Applications Abstract: The increased prominence of artificial intelligence/machine learning applications in youth's lives has called for the development of new computational practices. Our focus on algorithm auditing, a practice which involves repeated examination of an algorithm's output to make more transparent its inner workings and possible impact, provides: (a) building on informal personal practices that youth engage with everyday technologies, (b) connecting with already existing computational thinking practices, and (c) integrating critical evaluation for algorithmic justice. In this presentation, we share findings from a study that positioned youth (ages 14-15) as peer-auditors. We conducted a two-week workshop in which youth designed machine-learning powered applications and later audited each other's projects. We analyzed pre/post clinical interviews in which they were presented with auditing tasks. Our analyses show that in post interviews all youth identified algorithmic biases and inferred dataset and model design issues. Youth also discussed algorithmic justice and machine learning model improvements. Furthermore, youth reflected that auditing provided them new perspectives on model functionality and ideas to improve their own models. We discuss potential applications of algorithm auditing in K-12 education. Bio: Dr. Kafai is the Lori and Michael Milken President's Distinguished Professor at the University of Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Education. A co-developer of the widely popular programming language Scratch alongside colleagues at the MIT Media Lab, her work explores computational participation in diverse learning environments. She is also the author of several influential books, including "Connected Code" and "Connected Gaming", and holds a doctorate from Harvard University. Dr. Greses Prez (Tufts University) Title: STEM4Girls - They Don't Exist? Tales of Aliens, Unicorns and Women in STEM Abstract: Bio: Dr. Prez is the McDonnell Family Assistant Professor in Engineering Education at Tufts University, focusing on the experiences of Afro-Latina, Latina, and Black students in engineering. She is the Co-PI and PI of multiple NSF grants, researching the intersection of community and engineering practices, with recent work in climate technology and multilingual education. She earned her Ph.D. in Learning Sciences and Technology Design from Stanford University. Don't miss this chance to hear from leading experts and engage in thought-provoking discussions. See you there!
Claire T. Carney Library, Room 122, Grand Reading Room
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Cost: free