7 Online AI Programs for Middle School Students
If you are in middle school who’s interested in the field of AI, it can be hard to figure out how to explore it, and build foundational skills in it. Taking part in an AI program is a great starting point because it allows you to explore these subjects in depth, with guidance from professionals. However, a considerable setback is that attending a residential program (or even a commuter program) is both time-intensive and expensive. Not to mention that most of the programs out there are for high school or college students!
To make the search and selection easier for you, we’ve curated this list of 7 virtual AI programs for middle school students. These will help you get a head start on your education and get some experience and exposure at reduced (or no) costs, at a lighter time commitment!
1. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual.
Application Deadline:
Spring Cohort: February 25, 2024 (Introduction to Python & AI Junior Fellowship).
Summer Cohort: March 24, 2024 (early admission)
You can apply here!
Program Dates:
AI Trailblazers - Runs for a total of 25 hours over 10 weekends
Introduction to Python - Runs for a total of 25 hours over 10 weekends
AI Junior Fellowship - 12 weeks. The upcoming cohort for all starts on March 10, 2024.
Cost:
AI Trailblazers - $1,790
Introduction to Python - $1790
AI Junior Fellowship - $2,900
Note: Need-based financial aid is available.
Veritas AI is a virtual AI program for middle school and high school students founded and run by Harvard graduate students. Middle school students have three program options – AI Trailblazers, AI Junior Fellowship and Introduction to Python.
With the AI Trailblazers bootcamp, you will learn the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning, along with the basics of Python. You'll work on hands-on, real-world AI projects in areas such as medicine, finance, autonomous vehicles, and more under the guidance of mentors from top universities. This is best suited for students who are beginners!
In case you’ve already participated in the bootcamp or have some experience with Python, the AI Junior Fellowship might be a good option for you. During this program, you will work 1-on-1 with a mentor to build out your own project or research paper over 12 weeks. This is a great way to explore the field of AI at the intersection of various topics and showcase your passion.
The last option, Introduction to Python, is a program designed specifically for middle school students interested in learning Python and applying it in projects or real-world scenarios. Students will learn fundamental concepts like data types and structures, control flow, scripting, and more!
Take a look at the program brochure here!
2. UC Berkeley Coding Academy’s Data Science to AI
Location: Virtual.
Application Deadline: To be announced.
Program Dates: Held in the summer. Dates to be announced.
Cost: $2,495. Limited scholarships are available.
Berkeley’s summer course, Data Science to AI, introduces students to the fundamentals of AI, machine learning, and big data science. The academy offers 1-on-1 classes for students aged 12-18 and a junior Python coders program for ages 7-11.
Through these programs, you will learn how to write and evaluate Python code behind AI, and build ML models from real data. This course is a good choice for you if you are looking to take part in a technical skill-building course. The course has different levels for students based on their coding background. You will work in small groups to create your own projects and models. You will get to hone your technical and programming skills while also gaining access to long-term valuable resources like Berkeley Coding Academy lecture videos, slides, and portfolio projects.
3. Philosophy of AI at Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
Location: Virtual.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close mid-March (tentatively, based on previous years).
Program Dates: The program is typically conducted across June and July.
Cost: $3,050. Need-based financial aid is available.
Note: This program is only open to students from grade 8.
Stanford offers a range of academically challenging programs for students. The Institute is designed to offer academic, social, and extracurricular enrichment, featuring renowned instructors and engaging programs tailored to your interests.
This particular program encourages students to ask the fundamental questions of what AI means. This initial question leads to some interesting philosophical issues at the intersection of artificial intelligence and other disciplines, and raises social and ethical questions about today’s technology.
Some of the things you will question and discuss are whether reliance on algorithms and ML (for instance, when banks make lending decisions or courts impose criminal sentences) improve fairness or make things worse, and who do we hold accountable if things go wrong? You will explore these wide-ranging issues through readings, discussions, and a variety of activities and projects.
On successfully completing the program, you will receive a certificate of completion.
4. MIT RAISE - Creativity and AI Workshop
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Varies.
Program Dates: Varies.
Cost: Free
Responsible AI for Social Empowerment and Education (RAISE) at MIT offers a variety of valuable tutorials for students starting their AI journey. One of these offerings is the Creativity and AI Workshop for middle school students.
The goal of the program and its curriculum is to teach students about creative machine-learning techniques and how they can partner with AI to create art. You will participate in several hands-on activities, both plugged (using digital devices and hardware) and unplugged (activities that don’t directly use digital devices). This course encourages the explorative creation of art with and without AI tools. A strong focus will be given to GANs, which is an AI platform that can generate art and music, among many other forms of media.
RAISE is a curriculum, as opposed to the other programs that are mentioned in this blog, so you might have to reach out to your teacher/instructor for more information regarding some of the curricula offered.
If you are looking to engage in self-paced learning, RAISE is a pretty good option for you. You can also choose to learn from other workshops and curricula available on the RAISE website, such as Conversational AI Tools and PICaboo.
If you’re interested in going through the detailed curriculum, check this out!
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: None; only registration is required when you start a course.
Program Dates: The courses are available all year round.
Cost: Free
AI for Oceans, a Code.org and Microsoft collaborative initiative, merges marine biology and AI in an accessible format. This unique initiative goes beyond coding, delving into artificial intelligence, machine learning, and ethical considerations. You won’t just be learning in this program but will be training actual machine learning models.
During the program, you will explore the intricacies of marine life using technology. You will enhance and customize a pre-trained model provided by the TensorFlow MobileNet project. You will also use a Support-Vector Machine.
As a participant, you will learn about the challenges faced by ocean ecosystems and learn how to harness AI to solve them. Whether you're passionate about computer science, marine biology, or environmental conservation, this program equips you with essential skills. You will learn to analyze oceanic data, develop AI models to study marine life, and design AI-based solutions to address issues such as pollution and climate change.
Location: Virtual.
Application Deadline: None, only registration is required at the time of starting a course.
Program Dates: The courses are available all year-round.
Cost: Free
This is a self-paced learning program offered by Google AI. The courses in this program cover generative AI and machine learning. They can help you build a foundation for future research or study in the field of computer science and AI. The courses are well-paced and will be easy to follow. You will learn about complex topics in AI in a lucid and simple manner. Some of the topics covered include linear algebra for AI and ML, machine learning problem framing, and basics of machine learning.
These courses are entirely self-paced, so it is up to you to set aside learning time during your summer break, or even during your school year! You can view a complete list of courses offered by Google AI that can be accessed from anywhere in the world here.
7. Beaver Works Middle School Program at MIT
Location: Both in-person and virtual options are offered.
Application Deadline: The program was not conducted in 2023, but you can expect applications for the 2024 batch to open in May (tentative).
Program Dates: 4 weeks starting the Monday after the July 4 weekend, Monday-Friday.
Cost: Free
The Beaver Works Middle School Program, an extension of MIT's Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI), offers a platform for students to explore the fields of AI and engineering.
This program focuses on teamwork, encouraging you to collaborate with your peers on projects and tackle genuine real-world challenges by applying AI and engineering concepts. You will also explore the intricacies of crafting and programming intelligent systems, robotics and autonomous vehicles, and get valuable hands-on exposure to state-of-the-art technologies.
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