Quick look: About 100 students from across Orange County gathered at OCDE’s third annual Student AI Convening on Nov. 6 to lead workshops, showcase projects and share lessons about creativity, perseverance and responsible technology use.
From building AI-powered study tools to creating educational games, Orange County students demonstrated what young people can accomplish when given opportunities to explore artificial intelligence and share their ideas.
The Orange County Department of Education’s third annual Student AI Convening, held Nov. 6 at the OCDE Conference Center in Costa Mesa, brought together 100 middle and high school students and 20 adults, including educators, parents and community members.
Designed and led by students, the event featured an opening keynote, six interactive breakout sessions and a closing panel, all centered on how young people are using AI to solve problems, support learning and develop new ideas.
Participants explored topics ranging from machine learning and AI-powered study tools to educational games, computer programming and responsible technology use.
Lessons beyond technology
More than a showcase of new tools, the event offered students an opportunity to connect with peers, exchange ideas and reflect on what they learned from developing their own projects.
“The students didn’t just attend — they led,” said Wes Kriesel, OCDE’s AI education lead. “When we asked the builders on the closing panel what building taught them, they talked about pushing through frustration, staying up until 4 a.m. to finish a game, and believing in themselves.”
OCDE AI Education Lead Wes Kriesel addresses students during the third annual Student AI Convening on Nov. 6 at the OCDE Conference Center in Costa Mesa. 
Students and educators from Orange County school districts connect during OCDE’s Student AI Convening, which brought together participants to explore artificial intelligence and share ideas. 
Student ambassadors from Santa Ana Unified School District’s Career Education and Workforce Innovation program listen to a presentation during OCDE’s Student AI Convening on Nov. 6. 
Denise Duong of Fountain Valley High School leads a workshop introducing students to machine learning using Teachable Machine, a web-based tool for creating AI models without coding experience. 
Students, educators and community members gather outside the OCDE Conference Center in Costa Mesa during the third annual Student AI Convening on Nov. 6. 
Laguna Beach High School student Ollie Rankin presents Storyscape, an educational game designed to help students develop their writing skills, during OCDE’s Student AI Convening. 
Branson Lewis, left, and Dean LaDuke of Legacy Magnet Academy in the Tustin Unified School District lead a session on responsible artificial intelligence use, introducing students to Clyde AI, a tool designed to support learning.
Kriesel said one student’s reflection particularly captured the spirit of the day.
“One said it best: a person in motion beats a person at rest, even if that person is a hundred times smarter,” he said. “I hope every student left knowing they can put their idea in motion, and that they have a community across Orange County to build it with.”
The students’ reflections, including seven lessons about perseverance, collaboration and taking initiative, are available online.
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.
Students in grades seven through 12 interested in joining the network can learn more at ai-student-network.web.app.