How the YES Computer Science Framework Builds AI Literacy

Engineers apply computer science knowledge to problem solving, and we think children can, too. For more than two decades, we’ve been partnering with PK-12 educators to bring authentic, hands-on engineering challenges into the classroom. Core to these efforts has been helping educators support students as they engage in engineering practices—the habits and behaviors engineers rely on when solving problems. One of the practices that we want educators and students to be aware of is that engineers use computer science knowledge when designing solutions.

Panel from Is It Trash? comic by YES staff, illustration by Arnold Gutierrez.

“I believe my students gained a better understanding of what computers can and can't do. They were able to see all of the ways that computers can help make people's lives easier, but also just how much human participation needs to go in to making computers work.” – Erin Pender, Science Teacher, Boston, MA

Why Engineers (and Students!) Use Computer Science

One big reason engineers use computer science is efficiency. Computational tools help them work fast and handle complex tasks. Today, many fields are exploring AI for that same reason.

But efficiency isn’t