Over 4 weeks, students delve into AI summer course at LRCC

LACONIA — While many students spent their summers at the pool and part-time jobs, 16 teenagers from across New Hampshire decided to spend it inside the walls of Lakes Region Community College, taking courses focused on AI and advanced math.

The subject matter and curriculum broke barriers for the Lakes Region, the first-of-its-kind developed with input from an Inter-Lakes Middle High School teacher, Suan Foss-Finch, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology Professor Arup Chakraborty.

The pilot partnership intended to bring real-world concepts to rural communities across the country. The only other school in the nation participating in the pilot program was in Wyoming.

"For a long time, I’ve believed that many of our young high school students in rural America do not get the same opportunities to see and take advantage of the future possibilities, compared to people in urban areas," said Chakraborty, whose research specialities include immunology, regulation of transcription, and statistical mechanics. "We want to change that. It doesn’t matter what these young people plan to pursue in their lives — if they work in manufacturing, at a CVS, or in agriculture, they will encounter AI. It will likely be present in every aspect of their lives. Also, the need to think deeply and analytically, and ask the right questions, will become even more important than before."

Over the course of four weeks, students delved into the concepts of linear algebra — a mathematical foundation of AI systems — as well as some basic statistics foundations.

The course was titled, “Gateway to AI.”

"We were proud to be part of this," said Patrick Cate, president of LRCC. "Students from across New Hampshire had the opportunity to learn about topics that are not typically covered in high school. That's a direct reflection of what LRCC and all of New Hampshire’s community colleges exist to do: connect our communities to opportunities they might not otherwise have."

Chakraborty agreed.

“LRCC was kind to collaborate with MIT to offer this pilot summer course for high school students in surrounding communities. Student responses at the end of the course suggest that the combination of learning foundational mathematics and project-based learning is promising for helping students develop analytical skills, learn to ask the right questions, and work toward solving relevant problems,” he wrote in an email Tuesday to The Sun. “We hope to continue this collaboration with LRCC.”

The program prioritized teens from communities with limited access to science, technology, engineering and mathematics enrichment. Participants came from Center Sandwich, Gilford, Gilmanton, Laconia, Meredith, and Moultonborough.

The second portion of the course involved hands-on projects.

One of them was about the prediction of plant types and their growth stages at Meadow Ledge Farm in Loudon, where students photographed crops, and used AI to determine the plant types.

AI tools were used in mammogram data analysis, helping to determine next appointments and steps based on the screenings.

Finally, a financial wellness project was completed using an AI chatbot through St. Mary’s Bank and the Allogy Capillary platform. The project demonstrated how digital tools can empower members with on-demand insights while complementing the trusted guidance available through in-person member support teams.

The course was taught by Foss-Finch, who traveled to MIT to help shape the curriculum.

“I hope students walk away with a better understanding of what AI is, as well as its capabilities and limitations,” said Foss-Finch. “AI is a great tool that will help our society move forward. It’s not something we should fear, but something we should learn to use and use well.”

Sydney Conkling, a student at ILHS, summed it up well: “It’s a really good way to spend your summer and broaden your horizons.”

For more information, visit lrcc.edu.

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Katlyn Proctor can be reached at katlyn@laconiadailysun.com or by calling 603-524-0150.