Introducing high school students to primary scientific literature in an accessible format fosters early scientific literacy and critical thinking. The AI-guided Scientist-mentored Primary Literature Adaptation for STEMM Education (ASPIRATION) program was developed to teach these skills through the creation of infographics. Over eight weeks, students followed a structured curriculum, learning to analyze research articles, simplify content using artificial intelligence (AI), and craft visually engaging infographics. AI was introduced as a tool to assist with simplification, while students took full responsibility for understanding and synthesizing the material. The program also exposed students to cutting-edge research and technologies, further enriching their experience. The program culminated in a symposium where students presented their work as posters, oral presentations, and lightning talks. By emphasizing creative freedom, accessibility, and scientific accuracy, the program enabled students to enhance their scientific literacy, develop skills in writing, visual communication, and AI use, and build confidence in public speaking. Analyses of pre- and post-program surveys in this report demonstrated improvements in students' scientific literacy, critical thinking, and familiarity with key aspects of scientific research. Notable gains were observed in students' confidence in understanding scientific literature, writing abstracts, and experimental methods, as well as their awareness of STEM career opportunities. The program's hands-on approach and use of AI tools proved effective in enhancing students' skills and preparing them for future STEMM endeavors.