Quick look: OCDE’s third annual Student AI Convening on Nov. 6 will bring together middle and high school students from across Orange County to explore artificial intelligence through student-led workshops, demonstrations and discussions about responsible technology use.
What happens when students who are already experimenting with artificial intelligence get the change to share what they’ve built and teach their peers how to do the same?
That question will be at the center of the Orange County Department of Education’s third annual Student AI Convening, set for Friday, Nov. 6, at the OCDE Conference Center in Costa Mesa.
Designed and led by students, the free event will feature an opening keynote, six interactive breakout sessions and a closing program, all presented by young people from schools across Orange County.
Students from across Orange County are expected to attend, with participating groups coming from communities including Santa Ana, Tustin, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley and La Habra.
Students teaching students
The event will open with a keynote titled “The Future Isn’t Just Something We Inherit. It’s Something We Shape,” presented by Aahan Jain of El Toro High School and Jazzy Mancilla of Costa Mesa High School.
Among the presenters is Denise Duong, a student at Fountain Valley High School, who will introduce participants to machine learning using Teachable Machine, a web-based tool that allows users to create their own AI models without coding experience.
At Kennedy High School, student Pradyumn Singh has developed Wisteria, a tool designed to help students organize their Advanced Placement exam preparation through personalized student schedules. His session will explore how students can structure their studying, prioritize challenging topics and manage their time.
Meanwhile, Laguna Beach High School student Ollie Rankin will demonstrate an educational game called Storyscape, which allows students to create stories while developing their writing skills. Rankin will also introduce participation to vibe coding, an approach to building software using AI tools.
Other sessions will explore how AI processes human language, the importance of critical thinking when using AI and ways to recognize potential biases in AI-generated responses.
Students will also hears from peers who have developed AI tools intended to support learning, including an application designed to encourage more responsible use of the technology in schoolwork.
Each breakout sessions will be offered twice, giving participants an opportunity to explore multiple topics throughout the morning.
“This convening is a must-attend because students did not just plan it — they are running it,” said Wes Kriesel, OCDE’s AI education lead. “The keynote, every breakout, and the closing are led by student for students. When a high schooler teaches a room of their peers how neural networks actually work, or demos the AI tutor they built for their own district, that is not a preview of the future. It is students shaping it right now, and that is the experience we want for every student in Orange County.”
Building a community around AI
The convening is an extension of OCDE’s Student AI Network, which connects middle and high school students across Orange County to explore artificial intelligence, share projects and learn from one another. Led by Kriesel, the network welcomes students of all experience levels who are curious about AI and interested in developing their own ideas.
The third annual Student AI Convening will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at the OCDE Conference Center, Building D, 200 Kalmus Drive in Costa Mesa.
For more information about the event, including student presenters and session descriptions, visit the 2026 Student AI Convening webpage. Students interested in joining the ongoing network can also learn more through the OC Student AI Network.