Science Literacy: Generative AI as Enabler of Coherence in the Teaching, Learning, and Assessment of Scientific Knowledge and Reasoning

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Main Authors: Zhai, Xiaoming, Pellegrino, James W., Rojas, Matias, Park, Jongchan, Nyaaba, Matthew, Cohn, Clayton, Biswas, Gautam
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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author Zhai, Xiaoming
Pellegrino, James W.
Rojas, Matias
Park, Jongchan
Nyaaba, Matthew
Cohn, Clayton
Biswas, Gautam
author_facet Zhai, Xiaoming
Pellegrino, James W.
Rojas, Matias
Park, Jongchan
Nyaaba, Matthew
Cohn, Clayton
Biswas, Gautam
contents This chapter examines the potential of generative AI in enhancing science literacy across the K-16+ grade span, including its benefits as well as the conceptual and practical challenges that doing so presents. It begins with a discussion of what defines science literacy in the era of AI, including how AI has changed science and the demand for future citizens to be scientifically literate when AI is applied in their careers and lives. The chapter further discusses why science literacy presents such a challenge in K-16+ educational settings. It then develops an argument for the type of architecture needed for AI to assist in solving the problem by bringing coherence to the teaching, learning, and assessment of science knowledge and reasoning. Components of this architecture are illustrated with respect to the AI tools and capabilities needed for design and implementation. The chapter concludes with a consideration of what has been learned regarding both science literacy and AI, as well as what remains to be learned, including the research and development (R&D) needed, and the generalizability of this science literacy case to other disciplinary learning and knowledge domains.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2603_06659
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Science Literacy: Generative AI as Enabler of Coherence in the Teaching, Learning, and Assessment of Scientific Knowledge and Reasoning
Zhai, Xiaoming
Pellegrino, James W.
Rojas, Matias
Park, Jongchan
Nyaaba, Matthew
Cohn, Clayton
Biswas, Gautam
Computers and Society
Artificial Intelligence
This chapter examines the potential of generative AI in enhancing science literacy across the K-16+ grade span, including its benefits as well as the conceptual and practical challenges that doing so presents. It begins with a discussion of what defines science literacy in the era of AI, including how AI has changed science and the demand for future citizens to be scientifically literate when AI is applied in their careers and lives. The chapter further discusses why science literacy presents such a challenge in K-16+ educational settings. It then develops an argument for the type of architecture needed for AI to assist in solving the problem by bringing coherence to the teaching, learning, and assessment of science knowledge and reasoning. Components of this architecture are illustrated with respect to the AI tools and capabilities needed for design and implementation. The chapter concludes with a consideration of what has been learned regarding both science literacy and AI, as well as what remains to be learned, including the research and development (R&D) needed, and the generalizability of this science literacy case to other disciplinary learning and knowledge domains.
title Science Literacy: Generative AI as Enabler of Coherence in the Teaching, Learning, and Assessment of Scientific Knowledge and Reasoning
topic Computers and Society
Artificial Intelligence
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.06659