Empowering Educators in Fundão – AI & Project-Based Learning

This professional development report details a transformative AI and Project-Based Learning (PBL) training program for educators in Fundão. Developed in collaboration with VVAI and ReadyAI, and co-designed with local teachers, the initiative aimed to integrate real-world AI tools and inquiry-based learning into classrooms. Educators explored topics such as facial recognition, neural networks, and machine learning through interactive sessions using tools like Google’s Teachable Machine. Beyond technical fluency, the program emphasized student-centered methods that foster curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving across disciplines.

What set this initiative apart was its deeply collaborative and iterative design. Educators were not passive participants but active contributors, shaping the training content to reflect Fundão’s specific educational needs. The outcomes were striking: teachers reported greater confidence, renewed motivation, and more engaged students. The report also captures how students benefited—tackling real-world problems, demonstrating mastery of AI principles, and exploring ethical dimensions of technology. As Fundão advances as a hub for AI innovation in education, this training program sets a compelling example of how rural regions can lead in preparing students and educators for an AI-driven world.