Safinah Ali, a graduate student in the Personal Robots group, was a curriculum designer and educator for the 2023-2024 edition of the SRMP Machine program (Science Research Mentoring Program) at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) focusing on Machine Learning and AI in Scientific Research.
Students in the SRMP Machine program learned about how data science and ML can be used in scientific research. During the four-week program, students collected natural science data such as dragonfly wings, animal skulls or trees heights around New York City. Students practiced using different ML algorithms such as linear regression, decision trees, neural networks or principal component analysis using these datasets to answer their scientific research questions. Students also discussed bias in machine learning systems and how they can be mitigated using responsible algorithm design practices. The program is an outcome of a collaboration between MIT and AMNH.