National Student AI Challenge · Grades 3–12 · Spring 2026

AI Literate Now™

A national AI challenge where students create original AI projects and earn credentials through classroom learning, with district-led and national recognition opportunities, including learning experiences at Harvard and MIT.

Position your district to take a thoughtful, proactive leadership stance on AI through classroom-ready learning and a shared national experience for students.

Join the challenge

Get access to the student project and educator materials.

National Student AI Challenge · Grades 3–12 · Spring 2026

AI Literate Now™

A national AI challenge where students create original AI projects and earn credentials through classroom learning, with district-led and national recognition opportunities, including learning experiences at Harvard and MIT.

Position your district to take a thoughtful, proactive leadership stance on AI through classroom-ready learning and a shared national experience for students.

Join the challenge

Get access to the student project and educator materials.

The AI Literate Now Projects

Two connected, classroom-ready projects that introduce AI concepts and culminate in a creative challenge students can showcase — no prior AI or programming experience required.

AI 360

A quick, low-lift introduction to AI-powered world building

360° AI Sandbox

CoBlocks

Sandbox

Students use generative AI to create the environment for an interactive virtual world, learning how AI supports creativity and basic 3D building.

Grades 3-12
30-minute classroom experience
Low-lift and easy to implement
Designed to spark curiosity and build early confidence with AI concepts and basic 3D scene building

AI Story Studio

Required for the AI Literate Now challenge

AI Story Studio

CoBlocks

Students use generative AI to create an original sequel to a book or story, exploring how AI generates content while building an interactive digital experience.

Grades 3-12
6–10 total instructional hours
Emphasizes student authorship and responsible AI use
Builds understanding of core AI concepts, including training data, pattern matching, bias, and limitations

How Students Build AI Literacy

Across both projects, students build AI literacy through three integrated experiences:

Learn about AIExplore how generative AI works, its limitations, and ethical considerations.
Co-create with AIUse AI to expand ideas while maintaining authorship, critical thinking, and creative control.
Program with AICustomize AI behaviors and logic to bring stories, characters, and environments to life.

how it works

A Classroom-First AI Challenge

Designed to fit real classrooms with a clear spring timeline and built-in support.

1 Get Access

All educators can participate in AI Literate Now. Access is available in one of two ways:

Open Classroom Access (Teacher Led)
Submit a short request form to access the projects independently.

District-Supported Participation
Receive access through district coordination when a district participates in AI Literate Now.

Current Partners
Create a new section or add the AI Story Studio curriculum to an existing section.‍

Get Access to the Projects

2 Get Oriented

Student projects can be shared through classroom or district showcases, creating moments of recognition, shared learning, and connection.

Review classroom-ready materials, including lesson plans and educator slides to prepare for implementation

3 Roster Students

District-supported participation: Students are rostered through Clever or manually by educators; contact support@helloworldcs.org for Clever assistance‍

Open classroom access: Educators manually roster students within their class

AI Literate Now curriculum is fully browser-based and works on standard school devices (Chromebooks supported).

4 Plan & Implement

Schedule your students to begin implementation during instructional time between February–April
Implement both projects (AI 360° and AI Story Studio) over 6–10 total classroom hours

5 Showcase & Submit

Educators may choose to host classroom or district showcases using provided guidelines
Districts or educators may nominate select student projects for national recognition by April 25, 2026 (grades 6–12 only)

Recognition & Credentials

AI Literate Now recognizes both student achievement and educator leadership through credentials earned by completing the projects.

Student Recognition

Students who complete the core challenge earn a digital Micro-Credential in AI Literacy & Applied Intelligence.

Awarded for successful completion of AI Story Studio
Shareable credential recognizing AI understanding, creativity, and responsible use
Select projects may advance to district showcases and national consideration (open-access educators can submit for national advancement consideration below; grades 6-12 only)

Educator Badges

Educators earn AI Literate Now badges based on classroom implementation:

Explorer

Teacher completes the AI 360° project themselves

Trailblazer

25 students complete AI Story Studio

Champion

100+ students complete AI Story Studio

Ambassador

Invitation-based role for Champion educators

National Advancement & Submission

For educators or districts who choose to extend participation beyond the classroom, AI Story Studio projects for grades 6–12 may be nominated for national recognition. Select students will be invited to represent their school or district at the AI Literate Now™ National Summit in Cambridge, with learning experiences at Harvard and MIT.

For invited finalists, travel, lodging, and select meals are covered for the student and one parent or guardian.

Advancement is merit-based and transparent, with students eligible for national recognition through both district-supported participation and independent classroom participation via open access.

Submission Requirements

To be considered for national advancement, submissions include:

‍A shareable link to the completed interactive digital project

A short written reflection demonstrating learning, authorship, and responsible AI use

Detailed submission guidelines, evaluation criteria, and timelines will be provided soon!

View Guidelines & Submit Projects

Why Districts Are Participating in AI Literate Now

AI Literate Now offers districts a responsible, classroom-ready approach to AI literacy without requiring large-scale change or long-term commitment.

Lead Responsibly on AI

AI Literate Now empowers districts to take a proactive stance on AI literacy, grounded in ethical understanding, student authorship, and intentional use of emerging technologies.

Designed for Real Classrooms

The challenge is implemented during instructional time and works within existing schedules, typically completed within 6–10 total instructional hours, with turnkey resources for educators.

Shared National Experience

Participating districts join a national cohort advancing a shared AI challenge and competition, building momentum as students develop AI literacy and select students advance to the summit.

Visible Leadership & Opportunity

District participation signals national leadership while creating meaningful opportunities for students to showcase their work, earn recognition, and be featured as part of a national initiative.

Program at a Glance

AI Literate Now is a classroom-based AI challenge designed for flexible district participation and implementation within existing school schedules.

Lead Responsibly on AI

District selects one or more participating schools
Implemented during instructional time
Completed within a defined challenge window

Learning & Recognition

Classrom-based, project-driven AI challenge delivered during instructional time
District showcases and national competition opportunities
Optional national summit for select students

Implementation & Support

Turnkey educator resources included
‍No special equipment required
Designed to scale without long-term commitment

Get Started Today

Start with one class. Open to all educators.

Join the Challenge