Kettering University and t.Lab, a national leader in STEM-based experiential education, have been awarded a nearly $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation’s ExLENT program to expand educational access to artificial intelligence (AI). The three-year project, Explorations: Bringing High School Students and GED Earners into Artificial Intelligence Career Pathways, focuses on workforce development, preparing learners from non-traditional backgrounds for the AI-driven industries of the future.
“This initiative goes beyond teaching students about AI; it’s about preparing them to lead in the global innovation economy,” said Dr. Clarence Nixon, Founder and CEO of t.Lab. “By equipping students with technical, academic and leadership skills, we are creating opportunities that will transform communities and industries for generations.”
Funded through NSF’s Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT) program, part of the Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP), the initiative supports the national goal of preparing a diverse and resilient workforce for rapidly evolving technology fields.
“Artificial intelligence is going to affect nearly every part of our lives, from manufacturing to mobility to HVAC, literally the air we breathe,” said Diane Peters, Ph.D., professor of mechanical engineering at Kettering and principal investigator. “But right now, not everyone has equal access to learning about AI or exploring careers in it. This project is about opening doors for students who might never otherwise picture themselves in this space.”
The initiative combines academic preparation, hands-on projects and short industry-based internships to give high school students and GED earners both foundational knowledge and real-world experience. Unlike traditional college pipeline programs, this project is designed as a workforce development initiative led by Kettering faculty. Its focus is on preparing participants for a range of futures, whether that means pursuing a college degree, entering a technical or trade program, or gaining industry certifications that open doors to AI-related careers.
"This project really grew out of early conversations with t.Lab, who has been an integral partner from the very beginning,” Peters said. “At the same time, it built on discussions at a principal investigator meeting where we were challenged to think about how universities could align with industry needs. At Kettering, we already have deep strengths in areas like AI and computer science and this gave us the opportunity to connect that expertise with a clear, national priority."
The project will be evaluated through surveys and interviews, with results documented to create a replicable model for other institutions nationwide.
Peters emphasized the role of community partners in expanding the project’s reach. “From day one, Clarence Nixon and the team at t.Lab have been essential to shaping this vision. Their passion for preparing students for future careers and their deep experience working with high school learners bring tremendous value to the project.”
She also highlighted that the grant is the result of a true team effort. “I’m fortunate to be working alongside remarkable colleagues like Lisa Gandy and Jim Huggins. Each brings a unique area of expertise, and that diversity of strengths is what makes this project possible. A project of this size can’t succeed with clones. You need a team where everyone contributes something different, and that’s exactly what we have.”
Together, Kettering University and t.Lab are breaking barriers to AI education, creating pathways that turn potential into possibility for students across every community.
About t.Lab
t.Lab is a high-performance learning laboratory and nonprofit organization, located in Garden City, Michigan, dedicated to transforming lives through educational excellence. Its mission is to equip students with the skills, knowledge and experiences required to thrive in a global economy. To learn more, visit www.tlab-global.org.
