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The authors discuss how exposure to Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) tools led them to reconsider their approach to supporting secondary preservice teachers in curriculum development and to acknowledge both the challenges and opportunities these technologies present in teacher preparation. An upper division undergraduate class designed to support curricular development of all secondary teachers was redesigned to incorporate the use of large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT. The findings indicate that GenAI assists in planning, assessment design, and the development of assignments that require human insight beyond AI capabilities. The study highlights the benefits of GenAI in curriculum development and addresses concerns about academic integrity and equitable access. The authors recommend that educators explore GenAI’s potential to support learning and develop strategies for its responsible use in teacher preparation. 

Interdisciplinary STEM education is a pedagogical approach that allows students to understand the interconnectedness of the disciplines of STEM. The interdisciplinary approach introduces problem-based learning, cooperative learning, expands problem-solving skills, and introduces students to the use of engineering design. Tinkercad is a visual computing tool that models mathematical and scientific concepts and support interdisciplinary STEM learning and experiences. In this session, participants will explore Tinkercad in the context of middle school curriculum. Free, accessible lessons that highlight the use of Tinkercad in the middle school classroom will be shared from our project. Participants will explore the gravity feature and ways to use this feature to explore mathematical and scientific concepts.