AI in High School Research: The Do’s, Don’ts, and Dangers

Artificial Intelligence is everywhere—and today’s high school students are already using it daily, from drafting emails to researching assignments and preparing college applications.

While most teens now understand that AI can’t (and shouldn’t) write their essays for them, many still have questions about where the appropriate line is. Can AI help with background research? Lab reports? Science fair data? College prep?

In this highly practical conversation, Laura Barr was joined by Dr. Robert A. Malkin, PhD, PE, to demystify how AI fits into academic work for high school students—and where it can become problematic. Together, they unpacked when AI tools can thoughtfully support learning and when they risk undermining integrity and authentic skill development.

💡 In This Episode, We Explored:

- Whether AI is truly “new” in the world of science

- The difference between generative and assistive AI

- How (and whether) colleges use AI when reviewing applications

- Why AI cannot generate a meaningful college application essay

- When using AI for background research is appropriate

- Whether AI can be used to research colleges prior to visits

- The rise of literature reviews in applications—and how AI fits in

- AI’s role in science fair projects, data analysis, and graphing