NC BOLD West 2026 Day 1 McDowell High School

This session would be for more advanced users of AI who want to take the next step. We are asking AI questions, but how can we really get AI to think with us?! In this fast-paced, hands-on session, participants will step into the Prompt Lab to reverse engineer AI outputs, experiment with advanced prompting strategies, and uncover how context, rationale, and reusable prompt frameworks dramatically improve results. Through engaging challenges and Project Zero–inspired thinking routines, educators will analyze AI-generated artifacts, reconstruct the prompts that produced them, and discover practical strategies they can use immediately in their classrooms. Expect energy, laughter, and plenty of “wait… AI can do THAT?!” moments as we explore how to move beyond basic prompting and start using AI as a thinking partner—not a shortcut. Educators will leave with ready-to-use prompt structures, deeper AI literacy, and the confidence to help students use AI responsibly, creatively, and thoughtfully.