Courses for Middle School Students

This class will introduce learners to algorithms with a special focus on artificial intelligence algorithms.

Description

Class Experience

Algorithms run our world. Almost everything around us is a result of "algorithms". So what is an algorithm? In this class we will examine what algorithms are with a special focus on artificial intelligence algorithms. Learners will leave the course with a good grasp of what algorithms are which they will use in any programming class they take in the future.

Day 1

In the first day we will introduce the concept of algorithms, mostly from a non-AI perspective. Learners will learn to make "pseudo code" algorithms.

Homework for second week: Make a simple algorithm on paper

Day 2:

Today we will introduce Scratch and try and turn our homework into Scratch algorithms.

Day 3:

We will explore various artificial intelligence algorithms. Learners will get an introduction to various algorithm, like Deep Learning. After this class learners will have an idea of the various AI algorithms and a high-level idea on how they work.

Day 4:

We will build a simple Scratch AI program using decision trees

Day 5:

Super AI: Now that we know some basics of AI, let's discuss Super AI. Is it possible?

*** Thinking Machines Courses ***

This course is a part of a suite of classes around the concept of thinking machines. The purpose of these courses is to prepare students for technological change driven by true thinking machines. The classes range from discussing ethics and moral to programming classes all with the same goal of opening a new world of opportunities for the students and to get them curious about the world of tomorrow.

Time to build our own AI. In this game we will develop an AI-powered game based on General Theory of Intelligence. We will learn how to define and build causality based AI in this 10-week course.

Description

Class Experience

In this course we will use our theoretical knowledge from previous classes to build an AI game. Unlike other "AI classes", this course will focus on a type of AI that could be the beginning of human-level AI or super intelligence. We will use Snap! programming language, which is very similar to Scratch, but more powerful.

***PARENTAL SUGGESTION***

While not required, it is highly suggested your learner take the What is Intelligence and Algorithm classes.

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Class Outline

The course structure:

Week 1: Learners will also be introduced to Snap!

Week 2-3: We will complete the non-AI portion of the game. A special focus will be on variables and lists as these represents a key part to implementing artificial intelligence.

Week 4-6: A real artificial intelligence doesn't use historical data to learn, it observes reality. These weeks we will review General Theory of Intelligence and work on implementing observation technology to allow the AI to watch people play the game.

Week 7-9: It's time for the AI to play alone. These weeks we will complete the AI integration by enabling the AI to "comprehend" and play. Learners will learn how to develop code to give gaming control to the AI.

Week 10: Time to summarize the game and the AI.

*** Thinking Machines Courses ***

This course is a part of a suite of classes around the concept of thinking machines. The purpose of these courses is to prepare students for technological change driven by true thinking machines. The classes range from discussing ethics and moral to programming classes all with the same goal of opening a new world of opportunities for the students and to get them curious about the world of tomorrow.

Learn Artificial Intelligence by programming Cozmo the robot in a virtual world. You will code your robot to do AI actions such as speak, plan a path, chase an object.

Description

Class Experience

In this class, students will learn about the hottest AI topics, including path planning, speech recognition, and more. Starting with the definition of artificial intelligence, students will learn what constitutes as AI and be able to identify AI applications in their lives.

Students will code a virtual robot in Calypso, an AI programming framework. In their code, students will make use of AI applications such as speech recognition and path planning. By coding a virtual robot to chase objects, plan paths to destinations, and solve mazes, students will learn computational thinking and programming while learning about the behind-the-scenes AI technology in self-driving cars.

Week by week schedule:

In the first week, students will learn what is AI is and identify the common applications of AI. Then they will learn to program in Calypso (2nd and 3rd week) then move on to utilizing speech recognition (4th week) and path planning (5th and 6th week) in their code.

In the last few weeks of class, students will work on a project where they will identify a societal problem then code a demo to illustrate how AI can help solve this issue.

No prior experience is required. By the end of the program, students will have written complex programs on their own, gained skills to predict program behavior, and learned to debug programs when things go wrong. Additionally, they will gain an understanding of how AI applications work and share a vision of how they can use AI to improve our lives.

There are no software or hardware purchases needed for this class. Students will code directly on the Calypso website. A PC, Mac, or Chromebook is required.

We keep class sizes small to ensure every student is fully engaged.