By Ron Hall (with Carolina DaFonte, Diane Janbakhsh, Monserrat Lopez, and David Jaden Murray)
AI, otherwise known as Artificial Intelligence, is inescapable. Whether it’s in your house with voice activated devices like Amazon’s “Alexa”, in your vehicle, entertainment system, or even your handheld device like a tablet, it’s spreading and evolving. Despite the proliferation of AI, many do not have the opportunity to learn more about it – including those in the Hispanic community.
In July 2025 The Hispanic Family Foundation, led by Executive Director Diane Janbakhsh, conducted a 3 week class for 7-15 year old kids in the Nashville area to help them learn about Artificial Intelligence via robotics and coding. They endeavored to make the experience both a learning experience as well remove some of the hesitation that exists in the Hispanic community towards science by lowering the barriers to this technology.
The Hispanic Family Foundation believed it could lower barriers in several ways. The camp was offered at no cost to students. The location, Plaza Mariachi, was accessible via public transportation. Snacks and drinks were provided to the students as well as 1 hour of outdoor exercise via a coached soccer session. By eliminating cost, lowering transportation burdens, and offering food during the camp, the foundation believed they could overcome hesitation and fully enroll the classes.
Meharry Medical College via the AIM-AHEAD Southeast Hub funded the program through grant funding. With funding in place, the classes brought together stories, coding, robotics, and guests to help teach Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning and robotics in an enjoyable way for students. The transformation began before classes even started with the conversion of a dance studio into an AI/ML classroom.
From LCD touchboard screen installation to tables, computers and AV equipment, a dance studio was transformed into a Robotics Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning classroom. Picture here are Vladimir Rojas, David Jaden Murray, Gary Loyd, and Bill Niebuhr.
The weeks were filled with things to do! In the three weeks of classes, the kids got to be exposed to so many different aspects of robotics:
Pictured left: Michelle McIntrye, right: Lisa Hayes
Leading the classes were two instructors. The AM class was led by Michelle McIntyre who also teaches at Metro Nashville Public Schools. The PM classes were led by Lisa Hayes from Robothink. Each instructor brought different lessons and experiences to the class week after week.
Through each week of the three-week course, the kids were able to get an education on how machines simulate intelligence, artificial intelligence in the real world, and how to engage machines in the learning process. The instructors were not alone.
The class required an army of student assistants, a program manager, bi-lingual assistants, and tech assistants. The assistants were not only academic support but often emotional and social support for the students. It required many many helpers.
The helpers brought different skillsets. Some helpers were bilingual while others had a technical background. Most of the helpers stayed the duration of the classes, offering a consistant source of knowledge, support and encouragement throughout the experience.
Assistants included Alex Niyigena, Jaden Murray, Roberto Colores De Dios, Matthew Marcus, and were overseen by Hispanic Family Foundation Cultivate Program Manager Monserrat Lopez. Each one brought a specific kind of support to the students including in some cases bilingual support.
In the classes, the kids also learned to work as teams, explore the topics, and overcome their
hesitancy towards AI, ML, and robotics. The instructors help create an environment that was fun and reduce the fear. One student remarked, “It’s like magic… but real!”
The students were given structured time of learning and application as well as free-play time to build and experiment with what they had learned.
The instructors and assistants alike worked hard to help foster a learning environment where kids were free to ask questions and seek assistance as needed.
Pictured: The program’s many assistants including Monserrat Lopez, David Jaden
Murray, Mya Gonzalez, Roberto Colores De Dios, and Matthew Marcus.
Bilingual assistant Mya Gonzalez assists with a student offering both academic and emotional support
Bilingual assistant Mya Gonzalez assists with a student offering both academic and emotional support
Volunteers from Kings Hammer coached Soccer during the lunch breaks. John Petrou coached regularly
During the third week classes were in all-day Summer Camp with a soccer / lunch break in between. Soccer break was coached by volunteers from Kings Hammer. It was important during the mid-day break to continue to educate, not just have free-play soccer. Students were taught, coached, and supervised in the outdoor green area and continued to learn teamwork and discipline.
The Hispanic Family Foundation also conducted research during these classes. Surveys were conducted about AI awareness before and after the classes. Surveys were conducted at various intervals to gather data on comprehension and enthusiasm.
Among the findings were:
The instructors also made some observations. Instructor observations included:
Most of the students encountered artificial intelligence online or during school but did not comprehend it fully. Post-class, the kids could communicate such things as machine learning and were able to build robots via blocks of code.
One big win: kids started saying they could see themselves as robot builders, doctors, or computer scientists one day. That’s the kind of hope we need in tech.
Class assistant David Jaden Murray assisted Principal Investigator Carolina DaFonte in collecting and filing daily observational reports which provided additional data. Additional data included collecting information on difficulties encountered like slow internet, the need for more classroom assistants, and the effect of personal electronic devices brought to class – they became a distraction which had to be handled. Survey data, daily observation reports, and observers all contributed valuable data to the study. But data wasn’t the only thing collected.
Media was also collected during this program. Photos and videos were collected by David Jaden Murray, Ron Hall, Israel Garcia (Bad Iguana) and Jerricho Scroggins (Plaza Mariachi). The media was shared on the social media for the Hispanic Family Foundation as well as the foundation’s main website.
The data was eventually synthesized into a scientific paper by Principal Investigator Carolina DaFonte. This paper has been submitted to the AIM-AHEAD Consortium. It is under review for approval for publication.
Many people came together to collect daily observation, media, and scientific data to help round out this project’s science objectives. As the kids learned science, the adults conducted science. The science of the science was plentiful but the foundation was not alone in this project.
Many observers were invited to come and see the program. Of particular interest were Steven Young of Family and Children Services and Michael Duplesis, a science teacher in Williamson County Schools.
“I sat with a parent who was watching her son during the rehearsal. I asked if she understood what was happening. She replied that the information was far beyond her ability to grasp. She was proud of her son; he is only seven years old. We both expressed with wonder what his life will be like by the time he’s twelve years old, like his older companions in the program… …How many Carlos Juan Finleys (yellow fever scientist) and Ellen Ochoas (astronaut) are waiting to be discovered if they only had a creative outlet like this program in which to participate?” – Steven Young, Family and Children Services.
Rehearsal gave the observers an opportunity to watch the kids further through the overall awareness experience. The kids had the opportunity to set up on the stage, test their robots and get a sense of what the day of the show would be like for them as they would be demonstrating their robots in a room full of hundreds if not thousands of people.
The kids and instructors alike had an opportunity to make adjustments based on the space, height, and viewing experience that the stage offers. For many it was the the first time they would be appearing on a stage at a local but well known cultural and entertainment venue.
“The lab space they were working in was well appropriated with materials for them to “experiment” with, allowing them freedom to try multiple things. This is also great for them to explore their curiosity without the constraints of “I didn’t have enough parts to do what I wanted…
…Two of the students were girls (25% of the attendees), which was great to see. The two young ladies were equally engaged in working on their robots, both showing great determination in picking up ring obstacles with their project. It’s always great to see girls participating in physics/robotics based STEM activities!”
– Michael Duplessis, Williamson County Schools Science Teacher, Page High.
The Hispanic Family Foundation and its researchers did not limit the kids to the classroom experience – at every turn they sought to engage the community through guest speakers, observers, and visitors.
Visitors and observers were invited to see the classes and activities. Representatives included a Bank of America branch manager, Williamson County Schools Science Teacher, Non-Profit leaders, Hispanic Family Foundation board members, and many more.
Guests: Row 1: Steven Young (Family and Children Services), John Petrou (Americas Insurance), MNPD Officer Stephen Waterman, B. Alicia Griffin, Row 2: Michael Duplesis (Williamson County Science Teacher), MNPS Bomb Squad, Abraham Lara (Donelson Fellowship), Jenny Orrellana (Bank of America) Row 3: William and Brandon LaFrance (The Joshua Movement), Will Smith (Nashville Worship Collective), Jackie Rizo (Plaza Mariachi), Israel Garcia (Bad Iguana Productions)
For guest speakers, the Hispanic Family Foundation brought in several people to speak to the kids. The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) Bomb Squad brought their robot and bomb squad vehicle to the Plaza Mariachi parking lot where the kids were able to see, touch and learn about how robotics are used in public safety.
MNPD’s involvement didn’t end that day. In a later session with MNPD, kids received medical training with CPR dummies conducted by Officer Stephen Waterman – and were challenged to consider what the next technological advance would be in this field.
The guest speakers offered the kids both a well deserved break from the normal routine as well as a chance to see how what they were doing applied in the real world they would be walking into. Health and safety were two of the most critical fields discussed during these classes.
Pictured left: Matthew, Mya, Student Assistant, Thomas McSweeney (Hispanic Family Foundation Board), Lisa Hayes, and Alex Niyigena
Pictured right: Ron Hall (Finance and Reporting / Hispanic Family Foundation Board)
Hispanic Family Foundation staff also spoke to students. While largely observing and facilitating, the staff stepped out of the background to become part of the program. The foundation staff had stories to share that were both relevant to the class and helped to serve as inspiration for the students.
Carolina DaFonte, the foundation’s Principal Investigator on this program spoke about how technology is used to manage her Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis. Carolina showed the students her insulin monitoring device and talked about the future of technology to help her manage her condition.
Ron Hall, Finance and Reporting for the project, spoke about being an infant immigrant refugee evacuated from Vietnam during the Fall of Saigon in April 1975. Ron had been introduced to computers at an early age and it had impact it had on his life / career. He reinforced each of the kids in the room have a destiny, future, and purpose.
It also took a village to feed the kids. During one of the last lunch breaks, local McDonalds owner Clark Gray of the Gray Family McDonalds (Grayco) provided lunch including McFlurries for all our students. The Gray’s contribution to these children was vital as well as a great show from an outstanding family in the community.
Left: Rehearsal. Right: Showtime!
The last week of the classes was largely preparation for a showcase opportunity. The Hispanic Family Foundation and Plaza Mariachi host an annual Back-to-School event that attracts approximately 3500 attendees each year. At this year’s event, the students had an opportunity to set up and demonstrate what they learned to all the attendees.
During the final week, the kids went from 1 class per day to 2 classes per day with a coach-lead soccer session during the lunch break. The kids worked on their projects throughout the day as well as other activities.
Top row: The kids were visited by Spider-Man, Sonic the Hedgehodge and a princess.
Bottom Row: The kids demonstrate and share with family and friends.
On event day, the kids were split into groups. Some of the kids were on a stage presenting their robots doing pre-programmed routines while others were set up like a school science fair – at tables where they were able to share about their projects to parents, community members, and other kids.
The mixed format allowed the community to see robotics in action on the stage as well as engage students in the community. Students were also able to engage other young people while building awareness of artificial intelligence and machine learning. AI / ML awareness was not only increased to the students but also by the students.
The students were able to show AI awareness and help demonstrate how they overcame their hesitancy by both both being on stage and in the science fair style setups. Whether it was parent, relative, sponsor, entertainer, or peer, the kids demonstrated what they had learned by both discussing and by demonstrating their robots.
Many of the program’s partners and sponsors were able to be showcased at the Back-to School event which served over 3500 people
It was through this showtime that the kids became the teachers and were able to engage others, build awareness, and show members of the community how their own hesitancy was overcome.
The classes were not without their issues. The foundation’s researchers observed some problems like WIFI speed and less-than-clear instructions that came with the robotics kits. There were also some behavioral challenges like kids on cell phones during class, frustration when what they built didn’t behave as expected, and the wide age range of the students in the class. These challenges were mirrors of the real world – and dealing with these types of things is part of maturing.
The foundation also found some behavioral issues could be addressed with food and water. As the first week of classes concluded, the foundation was able to secure snack and beverage donations from CocaCola Consolidated. Once they implemented a snack break they found that behavior improved and learning was facilitated.
The kids were observed at the start as quiet and hesitant but grew self-assured and explorative. For them, artificial intelligence and machine learning was demystified. They learned it is a technology like any other that they can continue to be educated on, engage, and even grow.
The foundation hopes to do these programs and ones like it again, perhaps separating out the age groups as well as engage more female children and under-resourced children. The hope is to continue to expose kids to this technology and help offer this education – no matter where the kids come from.
It’s the foundation’s hope that this is only the beginning – not only for programs like this but also for the kid’s and their interest in technology, artificial intelligence, robotics, and the medical / safety fields.
What lies ahead is not only about AI, Machine Learning and Robotics – it is also about those who will decide what it looks like, what it does, and how it’s used – and it’s the kids.
The Hispanic Family Foundation is a 501c(3) charity located at 3955 Nolensville Pk, Suite 107, Nashville, TN 37211.
Its mission is to improve the quality of life for hispanic families in Middle Tennessee, working through the platforms of economic, education, social services, advocacy, and culture to provide programs that strengthen the Nashville Hispanic community.
For more information visit https://hffus.org/ or call the foundation at 615 562 2222
This research was funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under Agreement Number 1OT2OD032581. The views and conclusions contained in this paper are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the NIH.
[Pictured: Monsserat Lopez (Program Manager), Carolina DaFonte (Primary Investigator), David Jaden Murray (Tech Assistant), Ron Hall (President / Board Chair), Roberto Colores De Dios (Bi-Lingual Assistant), and Diane Janbakhsh (Executive Director) plus two students.]
