STEM Approach in Teaching Geography: using Artificial Intelligence to Study Minerals and Rocks

The role of geological knowledge in modern society and its impact on the professions of the future are considered. The growing need for the study of minerals and rocks to expand innovative opportunities in various fields of science and technology is emphasised. The articlehighlights the challenges associated with teaching the geological component of the geography curriculum and the “I Explore the World” course in secondary schools, including the lack of specialised courses, insufficient teacher training, outdated teaching and learning resources, and limited opportunities for field research. An analysis of current research shows that digital technologies with AI can significantly change the approach to the formation of geological knowledge in students. The use of tools such as Google Lens, Google Earth, and Rock Identifier allows for virtual tours, automated mineral identification, and interactive learning. The article presents the results of field studies conducted at the summer schools of the National Centre ‘Minor Academy of Sciences of Ukraine’, which demonstrate the effectiveness of integrating AI into the educational process. The proposed methods include the use of mobile applications for identifying minerals in the field, as well as geological quests with elements of multimedia and interactive interaction. The need to improve mineral recognition algorithms and further develop virtual reality technologies to improve the educational process is emphasised. The conclusions confirm that the integration of digital technologies and AI into geological education contributes to increasing students' interest, expanding access to educational materials, and making the learning process more engaging and effective. Further research is focused on the use of more complex educational simulations that will help improve geological education on a global scale.