By Demian Hommel, CTL AI in Teaching and Learning Fellow in partnership with the AI Literacy Center
As part of the ongoing Intentional AI at OSU series, I sat down with Nate Kirk, an associate professor (teaching) in the Department of Integrative Biology. Nate’s background as a molecular ecologist—studying the intricate symbiotic relationships between cnidarians and microbes—informs his approach to the classroom. He strives to create inclusive, inquiry-based environments that mirror the actual process of science, where the goal isn’t just finding the right answer, but learning how to “fail productively.”
The challenge: Moving from memorization to inquiry
In foundational and upper-division biology courses, students often struggle with the transition from rote memorization to the messy, non-linear reality of scientific research. For Nate, the challenge is twofold:
- Integrating research into pedagogy: Ensuring that scientists-in-training gain hands-on experience with real-world research elements.
- The fear of failure: Students often view errors as setbacks rather than essential data points. In a field like molecular ecology, precision is key, yet the learning process requires a safe space to experiment and falter.
The innovation: AI as a scaffold for scientific inquiry
Nate views generative AI not as a shortcut, but as a tool to help students navigate the expert-in-the-loop workflow essential to modern science. By integrating AI into his biology curriculum, he helps students move through the “boilerplate” of information gathering so they can focus on higher-order inquiry.
- Productive failure & debugging: Similar to the “break it” mentality seen in other disciplines, Nate encourages students to use AI to generate hypotheses or experimental designs and then debug those outputs against biological constraints.
- Inquiry-based learning: Students can use AI to parse complex datasets—such as those involving coral symbiotic relationships—allowing them to conduct “field-like” analysis even when they aren’t at the coast.
- Inclusivity through accessibility: For students in his principles of biology or invertebrate biology courses, AI acts as a 24/7 TA, providing immediate feedback on technical concepts and helping bridge the support gap in complex science tracks.
Reflection: The scientist-in-training
Nate’s philosophy is rooted in the idea that if a task can be easily replaced by AI, we should be teaching differently. He views the integration of AI as a way to prioritize human resilience and intellectual flexibility. By treating AI as a moving target, Nate and his students explore the boundaries of what the technology can do in the lab and the classroom together.
I am interested in determining how to best help people fail productively. The goal is to show them how to think through a question in a systematic way, using AI as a tool for that journey. — Nate Kirk
Key advice for faculty
- Foster “productive failure”: Use AI to create low-stakes opportunities for students to identify errors. Identifying a biological “hallucination”—like an AI suggesting a freshwater habitat for a marine invertebrate—is a high-level learning moment.
- Focus on the scientific process: Shift assessment away from the final answer and toward the logic of the investigation. Evaluate how a student used AI to refine their research question or debug a protocol.
- Maintain the expert-in-the-loop: Foundational biological knowledge is more critical than ever. Students must understand the diversity of life well enough to recognize when an AI’s output is “complete garbage.”
- Humanize the lab: While AI can process data, it cannot provide the mentorship and compassion that a faculty member brings to a scientist-in-training. Use the efficiency gained from AI to double down on direct student engagement.
About the Author: Demian Hommel is a professor of geography and environmental science in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences and is an AI in Teaching and Learning Fellow with the OSU Center for Teaching and Learning. When he isn’t exploring the societal and environmental impacts of AI, you can find him DJing under the alias Dr. Gonzo or trying to graft citrus trees in his greenhouse.
Top image generated with Microsoft Copilot.
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