From June 24-25, 2026, two Florida high school teachers came together to kick off our professional development program titled, “Modeling Human Behavior in Climate Disasters Using Artificial Intelligence.”
During this unique experience, teachers learned how to bridge the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) natural disasters. To start off this first cohort, members attended a two-day professional development workshop at the University of Florida’s main campus in Gainesville. During the workshop, teachers worked with scientists from the Smart, Effective, and Resilient Mobility Systems (SERMOS) Lab to develop hands-on activities and lessons for their classrooms for the 2026-27 school year. They learned about how AI can be used in emergency management and hurricane evacuations.
2026-27 Cohort
This is the first annual cohort dedicated to the integration of and learning about AI and natural disasters.
Jesika Curry Taylor County High School |
Avera Williams Lake Weir Middle School |
Cohort I Learning Goals and Benefits:
At the end of this yearlong program, participants gained the following:
- Hands-on activities and lessons for your classroom.
- Content expertise in AI and natural disasters.
- A chance to network with university researchers and like-minded teachers across the state.
- A $1,000 stipend for successful completion of the program components.
- Ability to expose students to AI skill sets and career paths.
Instructors
- Xilei Zhao, Associate Professor, Department of Civil & Coastal Engineering
- Ally Recalde, PhD student, Department of Civil & Coastal Engineering
- Mustafa Sameen, PhD student, Department of Civil & Coastal Engineering
- Stephanie Killingsworth, K-12 Education and Outreach Coordinator, Scientist in Every Florida School
Photo Gallery
Funding Sources
