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A STEP AHEAD: Innovative AI Tool Guides K-12 Students Through Sneaker Design Process

Professor J

Jan 23, 2025

SneakerTheory.org and UF Team Up to Build the Next Generation of Designers

WHAT IF THERE WAS A WAY to use AI to teach students how to design their own sneakers?


That’s what I had in mind when I reached out to the Engaging Learning Lab at the University of Florida.


The lab is overseen by Christina Gardner-McCune, an award-winning computer science professor, expert on AI in education, and leading champion of evidence-based ways to interest more students from underrepresented groups in computer science.


Given the universal appeal of sneakers, I’d bet good money that an AI-powered sneaker design course would be an absolute hit in America’s public schools.


Aside from perhaps hip-hop – the globally dominant music genre – and gaming, I honestly don’t think there’s a better subject to represent “culturally relevant pedagogy” than the study of sneakers.

Christina Gardner-McCune, associate professor of computer science and director of the Engaging Learning Lab at the University of Florida.

In the U.S., for instance, young people in the 16-to-24 age bracket own an average of seven pairs of sneakers – enough to sport a different pair every day of the week.


The United States “dominates the market by generating the most revenue in the Sneakers market,” which is estimated to reach US$25.6 billion in the U.S. 2025. And the sneaker market is expected to experience an annual growth of 5.33% from 2025 through 2029.


In other words, more and more young folks are gonna be buying more and more sneakers in the coming years. I see this as a prime opportunity for K-12 schools – particularly middle and high schools – to use sneakers as an educational tool.


Yet, when one looks at the educational landscape, there seem to be few if any serious efforts to lace America’s K-12 curricula with courses in sneaker design.


I’m not referring to “customization” – where an art educator, for instance, might have kids decorate sneakers with sparkly matter or paint them in their favorite colors. I’m talking about the sneaker design process from A to Z, from choosing the materials to glueing the uppers to the soles.


Enter the Engaging Learning Lab at the University of Florida.


Creating a good user experience

In October 2024, as it has over the past decade or so, the UF lab invited start-ups and other entities to submit pitches for its computer science students to create prototypes of websites, mobile apps and other digital products. They do this free of charge through a User Experience Design (UXD) Course, which offers computer science students an opportunity to learn good design principles, user experience methods and techniques.


For my pitch, I enlisted Ariana Wright, a member of the women’s track and field team at the University of Maryland, where I teach journalism, to create a video that outlines my vision for an AI tool that guides students through the sneaker design process. You can view the video below or on the YouTube channel for SneakerTheory.org.



Shown from left to right are University of Florida computer science students Mukund Aditya Balabathuri, Ansh Khatri and Mudit Arya. They are wearing Sneaker Theory gear in blue and orange, the official colors of the University of Florida.

The Engaging Learning Lab ultimately selected Sneaker Theory’s pitch. University of Florida computer science students Moinak Dey, Ansh Khatri, Mudit Arya and Mukund Balabathuri took on the project.


The students got busy and – a couple of months later – they presented me with a prototype for an online tool that allows students to make their own custom sneakers that they can sell commercially.


“The goal is to go beyond existing products that just let students select a sneaker and color it,” the design team wrote.


“We want to move students from consumers of sneakers to creators of sneakers. We believe that providing students with a tool that walks them through each of the steps of the process will inspire them to think about future career options or spark an interest in the underlying STEM concepts, history of sneakers, and the role sneakers play in shaping culture.”


They note that current tools are “not made for children and either stay superficial and hide the full design process” or are “too technical.”


“We want a product that is easy to use, navigate, and learn that leaves students with a sense of accomplishment and understanding of what it takes to create a product from start to finish.”

University of Florida computer science students work on a prototype for an AI tool that teaches sneaker design.

A few screenshots of the sneaker design prototype are shown below.

One phase enables students to select sneaker materials.

This phase enables students to design the sneaker heels.


The "finalizing the design" phase.

While the prototype is not functional or publicly accessible, it represents a baby step, if you will, in creating an AI tool that teaches sneaker design to public school students.


I think this tool could do wonders for American education. Students gain a sense of accomplishment when they can complete meaningful tasks and assignments in a short period of time, as this tool – if developed – should enable students to do. This is particularly true for neurodivergent students who struggle with issues such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD.


Am I worried about a better-resourced organization ripping off my idea and, well, running with it? To that I say: Be my guest. If it benefits America’s students and future generations, so be it.


At the same time, a more inspirational storyline – in my opinion – would be for a sneaker company or angel investor to come along and say: We got you. Let’s take this thing to the next level and make it work.


That’s one reason I attended EdTech Week 2024 in NYC and I hope to attend EdTech Week 2025


Either way, my hope is that one day soon we’ll see some sort of AI-powered sneaker design courses at an elementary, middle or high school near you. If you know of any already in the works, please let us know by writing to me at professorj@sneakertheory.org.


Jamaal Abdul-Alim, also known as Professor J, is an adjunct journalism professor at the University of Maryland at College Park.

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