AI in the Big Sky
CAST · 2025
The Situation
Rural Montana Boys & Girls Club staff were being asked to support young people in an AI-shaped world — with almost no preparation for it. Pre-survey data from 86 participants showed roughly 80% had never taught students about AI, only 2% discussed it regularly, and 64% had never used AI to design a lesson. Educators believed AI mattered for their students' futures — 63% called it extremely important for career readiness — but lacked accessible entry points, confidence, and concrete tools to act on that belief.
What I Did
CAST brought me on to lead curriculum design and facilitation for AI in the Big Sky — a statewide initiative, funded by aiEDU, bringing hands-on AI learning to Montana's Boys & Girls Clubs, with a particular focus on rural and tribal communities. I partnered directly with Boys & Girls Clubs of Montana throughout the project.
The anchor was a three-day launch conference in Polson, Montana, where 130 educators explored AI concepts, ethical use, Universal Design for Learning, and physical STEM tools — drones, flying orbs, and iPads. I co-designed three AI learning protocols built specifically for out-of-school-time settings: structured, immediately usable guides for using AI to support STEM activities and homework help. Following the launch, I traveled to four Boys & Girls Clubs across Montana to deliver follow-up hands-on AI training to club staff — over 1,100 miles of in-person travel across the state, reaching 34 additional educators.
The design philosophy throughout: AI as a thought partner, not a shortcut. Hands-on before theory. Grounded in real club contexts and youth development practice.
Outcomes
Pre/post survey data from 25 matched participants, October–December 2025.
Pre-survey data
Pre-training survey results
Post-survey data
Post-training survey results
Educators described shifting from viewing AI as intimidating — or associated with cheating — to seeing it as a tool they could explore alongside their students. Several noted new clarity on how to use AI ethically and how to guide youth through that process.
Documentation
CAST program writeupWhat They Said
“The work they did to make STEM and AI accessible and not scary was remarkable.”
— Aric Cooksley, CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Montana
“This training helped me see that AI isn't something to be afraid of — it's a tool that can help us teach kids better.”
— Conference participant
Interested in bringing this kind of training to your organization?
Whether it's a statewide initiative or a single-site workshop — I'd love to talk about what's possible.
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