Elementary Students Backed by UT’s AI Tennessee Advance to National Competition

Elementary Students Backed by UT’s AI Tennessee Advance to National Competition

Elementary Students Backed by UT’s AI Tennessee Advance to National Competition

https://news.utk.edu/2026/06/02/elementary-students-backed-by-uts-ai-tennessee-advance-to-national-competition/

Publish Date: 2026-06-02 13:10:00

Source Domain: news.utk.edu

  • A team of elementary students from Alcoa Intermediate School, guided by the AI Tennessee initiative, will represent Tennessee at the national finals of the Presidential AI Challenge in Washington, D.C.
  • The initiative involves faculty from multiple universities, including UT, the University of Memphis, Middle Tennessee State University, and Fisk University, providing workshops, training, and mentorship to K-12 students.
  • The students developed a tool named the Homework Helper, which acts as a tutor and timekeeper to help students manage their homework and alleviate homework-related anxiety.
  • AI Tennessee provided resources including curricular materials and practice sessions to help the students prepare for the national competition.
  • The experience is beneficial for both the students, who are developing important skills, and for researchers like Emily Holtz, who is examining educational strategies involving AI.