Researchers at the National GENIUS Center are continuously advancing the state-of-the-art in multiple fields of science education, AI, and computing education through innovative, impactful work. The curated selection of publications below offers insight into the Center’s ongoing research efforts.
Lee, G., Shi, L., Latif, E., Gao, Y., Bewersdorf, A., Nyaaba, M., Guo, S., Liu, Z., Mai, G., Liu, T., & Zhai, X.* (2025). Multimodality of AI for Education: Towards Artificial General Intelligence. IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies. 18, 666-683, doi: 10.1109/TLT.2025.3574466
Gao, Y., Zhai, X., Li, M., & Li, X. (2025). A Multimodal Interactive Framework for Science Assessment in the Era of Generative Artificial Intelligence. Journal of Research in Science Teaching. 1-15, https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.70009
Lee, G. & Zhai, X. (2025). Realizing Visual Question Answering for Education: GPT-4V as a Multimodal AI. TechTrends. 69, 271–287, DOI: 10.1007/s11528-024-01035-z
Lee, G. & Zhai, X. (2025). Realizing Visual Question Answering for Education: GPT-4V as a Multimodal AI. TechTrends. 69, 271–287, DOI: 10.1007/s11528-024-01035-z
Shi, L. (2025). Global Perspectives on AI Competence Development: Analyzing National AI Strategies in Education and Workforce Policies. Human Resource Development Review, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/15344843251332360
Yang, J., Latif, E., He, Y., Zhai, X. (2025). Fine-tuning ChatGPT for Automatic Scoring of Written Scientific Explanations in Chinese. Journal of Science Education and Technology. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10956-025-10199-z
Guo, S., Shi, L., & Zhai, X. (2025). Validating an Instrument for Teachers’ Acceptance of Artificial Intelligence in Education. Education and Information Technologies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-025-13338-6
Lu, C. & Zhai, X. (2025). From Campus to Market: The Algorithmic Influence on Academic Capitalism. IEEE Technology and Society Magazine. DOI: 10.1109/MTS.2024.349466
Lee, G. & Zhai, X. (2025). Realizing Visual Question Answering for Education: GPT-4V as a Multimodal AI. TechTrends. 1-17, DOI: 10.1007/s11528-024-01035-z
Bewersdorff, A., Hartmann, C., Hornberger, M., Seßler, K., Bannert., M., Kasneci, E., Kasneci, G., Zhai, X., Nerdel, C. (2025). Taking the Next Step with Generative Artificial Intelligence: The Transformative Role of Multimodal Large Language Models in Science Education. Learning and Individual Differences. 118, 102601, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2024.102601
Zhai, X. (2024). Transforming Teachers’ Roles and Agencies in the Era of Generative AI: Perceptions, Acceptance, Knowledge, and Practices. Journal of Science Education and Technology. 1-11, DOI: 10.1007/s10956-024-10174-0
Latif, E., Liu, N., Biswas, G., Yin, Y., & Zhai, X.* (2025). Workshop on Epistemics and Decision-Making in AI-Supported Education. In: Cristea, A.I., Walker, E., Lu, Y., Santos, O.C., Isotani, S. (eds) Artificial Intelligence in Education. Posters and Late Breaking Results, Workshops and Tutorials, Industry and Innovation Tracks, Practitioners, Doctoral Consortium, Blue Sky, and WideAIED. AIED 2025. Communications in Computer and Information Science (218–224), vol 2592. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-99267-4_27
Fang, L., Latif, E., Lu, H., Zhou, Y., Ma, P., & Zhai, X*. (2025). Efficient Multi-task Inferencing: Model Merging with Gromov-Wasserstein Feature Alignment. In: Cristea, A.I., Walker, E., Lu, Y., Santos, O.C., Isotani, S. (eds) Artificial Intelligence in Education. Posters and Late Breaking Results, Workshops and Tutorials, Industry and Innovation Tracks, Practitioners, Doctoral Consortium, Blue Sky, and WideAIED. AIED 2025. Communications in Computer and Information Science (pp. 192-200), vol 2592. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-99267-4_24
Guo, S., Wang, Y., Yu, J. Wu, X., Ayik, B., Watts, F., Latif, E., Liu, L., Liu, N., & Zhai, X*. (2025). Artificial Intelligence Bias on English Language Learners in Automatic Scoring. In: Cristea, A.I., Walker, E., Lu, Y., Santos, O.C., Isotani, S. (eds) Artificial Intelligence in Education. AIED 2025. Lecture Notes in Computer Science (pp. 268–275), vol 15881. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-98462-4_34
Zhang, L., Zhai, X., Lin, J. Kleiman, J., Carol Forsyth, D. Jiang, Y., Hu, X. & Graesser, A. (2025). Exploring Communication Strategies for Collaborative LLM Agents in Mathematical Problem-Solving. In: Cristea, A.I., Walker, E., Lu, Y., Santos, O.C., Isotani, S. (eds) Artificial Intelligence in Education. Posters and Late Breaking Results, Workshops and Tutorials, Industry and Innovation Tracks, Practitioners, Doctoral Consortium, Blue Sky, and WideAIED. AIED 2025. Communications in Computer and Information Science (pp. 258–265), vol 2591. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-99264-3_32
Zhang, L., Zhai, X., Lin, J. Kleiman, J., Carol Forsyth, D. Jiang, Y., Hu, X. & Graesser, A. (2025). Exploring Communication Strategies for Collaborative LLM Agents in Mathematical Problem-Solving. In: Cristea, A.I., Walker, E., Lu, Y., Santos, O.C., Isotani, S. (eds) Artificial Intelligence in Education. Posters and Late Breaking Results, Workshops and Tutorials, Industry and Innovation Tracks, Practitioners, Doctoral Consortium, Blue Sky, and WideAIED. AIED 2025. Communications in Computer and Information Science (pp. 258–265), vol 2591. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-99264-3_32
Gao, Y., Zhai, X., A Multimodal Interactive Framework for Science Assessment in the Era of Generative Artificial Intelligence. (2025) Paper presented at AERA annual conference, Denver, Colorado
Nyaaba, M. & Zhai, X. (2025). Developing Culturally Responsive Science Lesson Plan Tool using Generative AI. Paper presented at CADASE session in the NARST annual international conference. Washington, DC.
Latif, E., Lee, G., Gao, Y., Shi., L., Guo, S.,.. Zhai, X. (2025). Integrating Generative AI into Science Teacher Education: International Perspectives. Paper presented in RAISE session at NARST annual international conference. Washington, DC.
Guo, S., Latif, E., & Zhai, X. (2025). Leveraging Multi-Agent Large Language Models for Automatic Feedback. Paper presented in RAISE session at NARST annual international conference. Washington, DC.
Nyaaba, M. & Zhai, X. (2025) Developing Culturally Responsive Science Assessment Tool Using Generative AI. AAAS Annual Meeting, Boston.
Ding, A., Kleiman, J., Zhang, Y., Shi, L., Zhang, K., Jiang, Z., Zhang, Y. & Zhai, X*. (accepted). Teacher Professional Development on AI Integration: A Qualitative Study of Programs and Pedagogies. Paper submitted to AERA annual conference, Los Angles, CA.
Wang, Z., Zhu, Z., Gao, Y., Park, J., Watts, F., Liu L., Zhai, X*. (accepted). Designing Effective Prompts for Eliciting Scientific Argumentation: A Systematic Review. Paper submitted to AERA annual conference, Los Angles, CA
Kleim, J. Gao, Y., Zhang, L., Zhai, X*. (accepted). Can ChatGPT Help Analyze Collaborative Mathematical Argumentation? Comparing AI Tools for Classroom Discourse Analysis. Paper submitted to AERA annual conference, Los Angles, CA.
Wang, C., Sun, M., Roschle, J., & Zhai, X*. (accepted) Innovating K–12 Teaching and Learning with Generative AI: Insights From IES-funded National R&D Centers. Paper submitted to AERA annual conference, Los Angles, CA.
Shi, L., Guo, S., Gao, Y., Li, H., Zhang, L. & Zhai, X. (accepted). A Framework for Generative AI-based Cognitive Engagement. Paper submitted to AERA annual conference, Los Angles, CA.
Guo, S., Shi, L. & Zhai, X. (accepted). Artificial Intelligence for Learning Engagement: A Meta-Analysis. Paper submitted to AERA annual conference. Los Angles, CA.