2026 AI Educator Summer Institute: Full Schedule

The inaugural A.I. Educator Summer Institute begins on July 13, 2026!

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

9:00am EDT

Source Code Session #16: AI and Image Data for Plant Sciences

Wednesday July 15, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT

SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics Building (GSSM)

Limited Capacity seats available

AI is fundamentally changing research. This session will draw directly from active research in plant phenomics, image-based trait analysis, and plant breeding to demonstrate what AI-assisted science looks like in practice. We'll walk through concrete examples: how convolutional neural networks and on-device models are automating the extraction of morphological traits from field images, how large language models are accelerating literature synthesis in crop science, and how AI pipelines are compressing analyses. What do these shifts mean for how we teach science? When a model can segment an image or predict yield, what skills actually matter? We'll dig into how to design data collection exercises and research projects so that students build genuine scientific judgment rather than just prompt-writing habits. You'll leave with a grounded understanding of where plant science and phenomics research is heading, and practical strategies to make your classroom reflect that reality.

Understand how image data can be used with AI for effective research outcomes

Speakers

Dr. Trevor Rife

Assistant Professor, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences at Clemson University

Trevor is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences at Clemson University. The Rife Lab focuses on developing efficient tools, technologies, and methods to optimize plant breeding and genetics research and works with both national and international... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics Building (GSSM) 401 Railroad Ave., Hartsville, SC 29550

Source Code Session, Small Group

Knowledge/Experience Level 3, 2
Audience 11-12, Higher Education, 9-12
Subject Science, Biology
Location/Room Number C123
Participants should bring...Part Laptops (with charging cords); Academic standards for their subject

2026 AI Educator Summer Institute

9:00am EDT

Dr. Trevor Rife

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