Eighth-grade students in Illinois recently designed and launched their school’s first newscast using generative artificial intelligence. Under the guidance of computer science teacher Tori Engel at Carriel Junior High in O'Fallon, Illinois, the students used Google’s Gemini to build their show, "The Cougar Rumble," from scratch. This classroom project demonstrates how schools can use generative AI tools to support hands-on learning instead of replacing student work.
What Happened
According to a report on Google Education, Engel's students started the project with no logo or existing brand identity. The eighth-graders brainstormed initial concepts and used the AI tool Gemini to find common themes in their hand-drawn logo sketches. From there, students wrote text prompts to build a cohesive brand kit.
The class now follows a weekly production cycle. Students use Gemini alongside Google Docs and Google Slides to organize daily tasks. Before filming each episode, student production teams use the AI tool to edit written scripts and organize camera shot lists. Instead of letting the software write the show, students treat the technology as an assistant to execute their own ideas.
The Bigger Picture
This project aligns with research on how AI impacts student creativity. While some critics worry that AI leads to mental laziness, academic studies show that generative tools can boost creative output under the right conditions. A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that AI use is positively linked to student creativity because it helps students learn and combine new ideas. However, the researchers warned that students who blindly trust AI experience a decrease in critical learning, so educators must teach students to remain skeptical of AI outputs.
Similarly, a study published in PLOS One outlines a creative process where students explore AI outputs and then reflect on them. This active co-creation helps students feel more confident in their abilities. As we previously reported, as AI tools become common in daily tasks, schools must update how they teach students to work alongside technology.
At the same time, schools face pressure to protect student data privacy. A national standard set by Microsoft and the American Federation of Teachers bars commercial developers from using student or educator data to train their models. School districts must also comply with federal laws like the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). According to Tenet's FERPA guide, schools must ensure that any student work or prompts uploaded to commercial AI tools do not expose personally identifiable information without explicit parental consent.
What This Means for Families
For parents and educators, the Carriel Junior High project shows that AI does not have to be an all-or-nothing tool. Instead of banning the technology out of fear of cheating, schools are beginning to establish clear rules.
To help families understand these rules, some districts, like the Glens Falls School District, use a four-level AI framework. This scale labels assignments based on the allowed level of AI assistance, where Level 0 prohibits AI and Level 3 allows full collaboration. This structured approach helps students understand when they can ethically use AI for schoolwork.
What You Can Do
First, check your school district's AI policy. States like Ohio now legally require school boards to adopt formal AI rules, according to AI Tools Bakery. Ask your school board if they have a policy like the one at Hilliard City Schools to guide classroom use.
Next, encourage active co-creation at home. When your child uses AI for homework or creative projects, teach them to use it as a brainstorming partner. Remind them to review and verify information rather than accepting AI outputs blindly.
Finally, ask teachers and administrators how they protect student work. Under FERPA standards, schools must have clear contracts with AI providers to ensure student prompts and original designs are not used for commercial advertising or model training.