UROP Project

Mathematizing Public Library Storytimes (MPLS) through Integration of GenAI: Empowering Caregivers and Public Librarians to Develop Young Children’s Algebraic Reasoning

STEM learning, young children, parents, public library, storytimes, AI

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):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:

Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 4
Relevant Majors: computer science, data science, software engineering, early childhood education, mathematics education, information studies
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

This work will be part of a federally funded research from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The goal of the project is 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. The project outcomes are: (1) a GenAI-integrated MPLS curriculum and resources (e.g., stories, play-based math activities, at-home math resources, facilitation guide, webinar, project website), which includes an AI chatbot designed to help caregivers and librarians navigate algebraic misconceptions and learn scaffolding strategies they can use with children; (2) a working co-design model for GenAI–librarian collaboration around early algebraic storytimes; (3) development of adults’ self-efficacy in math literacy skills and children’s algebraic reasoning through engaging in algebraic reasoning talk at MPLS.

Research Tasks: Literature review, data collection, data analysis, website development, AI chatbot development

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Recommended (not required) qualification
• Completed at least one method course related to qualitative research or quantitative research
• Previous experience developing an AI chatbot (or other applications)
• Previous experience developing a website
• Previous experience with literature review
• Previous experience of using citation management tools (e.g., Mendeley, Zotero)
• Previous experience with qualitative data analysis tools (e.g., NVivo, ATLAS.ti)
• Previous experience with transcribing of interview data or video-based data
• Previous experience working with children