Foundation of Computer Science and AI Systems

Approximate Total Time: 25 hours, with flexible pacing

Recommended for Ages 11+ (typically U.S. Grades 7–12)

About This Course

Students explore how AI works, learns from data, and affects people and society. Through hands-on activities, students investigate algorithms, machine learning, generative AI, bias, and responsible design while building programming skills.

The course culminates in a project where students identify a community need and design, build, and present an AI-supported solution.

Modules

1. What Is AI & How Do Systems Think?
Students explore the foundations of AI, algorithms, systems thinking, and human design choices while building introductory programming skills.

2. Learning From Data
Students investigate how machines learn from data, explore different types of machine learning, train a model, and consider how data affects accuracy and fairness.

3.Generative AI — Capability, Limits, and Responsibility
Students explore how generative AI uses patterns and prediction, why AI can produce inaccurate or biased outputs, and how humans can use AI responsibly.

4. Designing Intelligent Systems
Students identify a community need and design and build an AI-supported prototype while considering users, data, accessibility, fairness, and impact.

5. AI, Careers & Human Judgment
Students explore how AI is changing work, improve their projects through feedback, and present and reflect on their final solutions.

Flexible pacing: Teach the course as a five-day intensive, spread it across several weeks, or adapt it to fit your program schedule.