UROP Project

Educational AI Chatbots for Children's STEM Learning at Public Libraries

AI chatbot; STEM learning; parent-child interaction; public library
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Research Mentor: Dr. Soo Hyeon Kim, she/her
Department, College, Affiliation: School of Information, Communication and Information
Contact Email: soohyeon.kim@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Gi Woong Choi he/his
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: giwoong.choi@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: computer science, data science, software engineering, information science
Project Location: This job will require travel to local public libraries in Tallahassee area.
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes
Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable

Project Description

Are you interested in building AI chatbots for children’s STEM learning program at public libraries through two research projects, funded the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)? The first project, entitled Family Makers, focuses on integrating an AI chatbot within public library engineering programs for collaborative use by parents and children without librarian facilitation. The second project aims to develop a GenAI-integrated Mathematizing Public Library Storytimes (MPLS) program that can increase children’s (3-5 years) algebraic reasoning, as well as caregivers’ and public librarians’ self-efficacy in math literacy skills. Once developed, AI chatbots will be tested at children’s STEM programming at two public libraries.

Research Tasks: AI chatbot development for two projects; data collection at public libraries; data analysis

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required qualification:
• Previous experience developing an AI chatbot (or similar applications)
• Valid driver’s license and access to reliable personal transportation.
Recommended qualification:
• Previous experience working with children

Mentoring Philosophy

Mentoring is a big part of my professional identity, and I am very excited to collaborate with students at all levels. I take great fulfillment in guiding students as they transition into critical thinkers and independent researchers. To support this, I employ a research-apprenticeship model rooted in learning-by-doing approach. Students will work side-by-side with me through data collection and analysis and have ample opportunity to observe real-world research practices while actively engaging in them. I have witnessed that this research-apprenticeship model provides students a safe and supportive environment to experiment, learn, and grow as a researcher and a critical thinker.

Additional Information


Link to Publications

https://soohyeon.kim/