Integrating Machine Learning and Educational Robotics: The Frankie Platform for Teaching Artificial Intelligence in High School

ABSTRACT This study explores an experiment conducted at a tuition-free school in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, aimed at introducing high school students to Artificial Intelligence (AI) concepts through their mathematical foundations. Eleven students participated in workshops designed to connect mathematics and AI by engaging with a Weightless Neural Network (WNN) algorithm - WiSARD. The scripted activities focused on the mathematical calculations involved in the algorithm's training and classification phases, enhancing students' understanding of machine learning (ML). The results showed that students grasped both the functioning of the WiSARD algorithm and the mathematical principles behind it. Additionally, the activities fostered reflection on ethical concerns related to AI, emphasizing developer responsibility and the importance of protecting personal data.