8 Free Python Courses for Middle School Students

Python, with its simplicity and versatility, is one of the best programming languages that students can learn early on. Its straightforward and readable syntax allows young learners to grasp coding concepts without being overwhelmed. Python's applications in web development, data science, and artificial intelligence make it a valuable skill for future career opportunities.

Why learn python in middle school?

Gaining a head start in learning Python offers numerous benefits for middle school students. For students keen on computer science and programming, learning Python early cultivates essential problem-solving and logical thinking skills, setting a strong foundation for advanced programming languages. Not to mention, Python's versatility allows students to create games, websites, and interactive projects, fostering creativity and innovation. It empowers students to excel in STEM subjects, participate in coding competitions, and pursue future careers in technology and computer science. 

We’ve curated a list of 8 free Python courses specifically for middle school students. From basics to advanced, these courses offer interactive learning, making coding accessible and fun.

1. Veritas AI - AI Trailblazers

Location: Virtual
Dates: Upcoming application deadline - December 3; cohort start date - December 16 
Prerequisites: None

Veritas AI is a virtual AI program for middle school and high school students founded and run by Harvard graduate students. Middle school students can join a ten session AI Trailblazers bootcamp. Through this program, 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 that make use of python in areas like medicine, finance, autonomous vehicles, and more under the guidance of mentors from top universities.This is best suited for students who are beginners! 

Note: Veritas AI offers up to 100% financial aid for this program. 

2. Introduction to Programming with Python by Harvard University (Online)

Location: Virtual. The course can be accessed on the edX platform.
Dates: Self-paced, students can begin the course at their convenience. It’s available May - December.
Prerequisites: None.

Harvard University offers several programs taught online via edX. This course, taught by a Harvard computer science faculty member, is a solid starting point for students just entering the world of programming. This course will teach students the essentials of Python – from understanding functions, variables, and conditionals to mastering loops, exceptions, and libraries, it will help build a strong foundation. You will also learn the basics of object-oriented programming, file handling, and regular expressions. The course offers hands-on practice, ensuring students grasp concepts effectively. Designed for students with or without prior coding experience, it covers debugging techniques, unit testing, and real-world problem-solving. All you need is a web browser! No additional software is required.

While the course is self-paced, the university suggests completing it in 9 weeks, devoting 3-9 hours per week. 

3. Hour of Python by Trinket.io

Location: Virtual.
Dates: Students can choose to start the course at their convenience. 
Prerequisites: None.

Trinket.io is a Python training program that helps young students learn to code. This free platform offers An Hour of Python - a course that allows students to code in Python purely on web browsers. An Hour of Python will train students on fundamentals such as if-else statements, loops and lists, variables, functions and more. Students can access the course, course materials, exercises and more at their convenience! When starting, you will be required to create an account – this will allow you to save their code during each session. Trinket.io tutorials are usually pre-recorded. Unfortunately, the platform does not involve direct communication with instructors.

Students who are familiar with Scratch will recognize the “Remix” option, which allows you to take someone else’s project, create your own copy, and edit the code from there. This is a smart way to learn as you’re not always starting from scratch. Trinket also has a graphical library called Turtle, which allows users to draw things on the screen – great for you if you are a visual learner. 

4. Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python) by the University of Michigan

Location: Virtual.
Dates: 7-week, self-paced course that students can start at their convenience.
Prerequisites: None.

The University of Michigan offers several programs taught online via edX, including Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python). The same course is also offered via Coursera.
This course, taught by a UMich faculty member, is open to everyone. This beginner-friendly program is tailored to those new to coding. No prior experience is needed, and the course avoids complex math, ensuring accessibility for everyone. During the course, students will dive into the fundamentals of Python, learning to construct programs through simple instructions. This course covers Chapters 1-5 of the book "Python for Everybody" and utilizes Python 3. The course includes pre-recorded classes.

Through the course, you will learn essential concepts like variables, conditional execution (if statements), loops (for statements), and the importance of functions in code. The beauty lies in its simplicity: students can complete assignments directly on a web browser, even from a phone! After completing this course, you will be well-prepared for more advanced programming courses.

5. Computing in Python I: Fundamentals and Procedural Programming by Georgia Institute of Technology

Location: Virtual.
Dates: Several session options to choose from – the upcoming one is on January 1, 2024 and you can find all the available sessions here.
Prerequisites: No prior knowledge is required beyond basic arithmetic. Knowledge of high school-level algebra is desirable.

Georgia Institute of Technology offers several programs taught online via edX, including Computing in Python I. In this course, taught by a senior faculty member from the institute, students will learn how computers interpret lines of code, the process of writing programs, evaluating outputs, and debugging code. By the end of the course, you will be adept at creating small Python programs that handle complex tasks, such as calculating interest rates, recommending outfits based on the weather, or grading based on percentages.

The course is structured in chapters, presented via pre-recorded short instructional videos (2-3 minutes each). After each segment, students will have multiple-choice questions and coding problems to solidify their understanding. A few concepts covered in the course include – computing basics, the crucial differences between compiling and running code, debugging techniques, procedural programming, variables, logical operators, and mathematical operators.

After this course, students can choose to do parts II, III and IV.

6. Free Python Classes for Kids by Create & Learn

Location: Virtual.
Dates: Several course options are available, each with several sessions that students can choose from, based on their availability.
Prerequisites: None.

These interactive Python tutorials are designed specifically for middle schoolers. In this online class, you will start by learning the basics of Python. You will then move on to explore animation, drawing, and even creating your own story projects using python, helping you build your coding skills. The classes are held in small groups and are live sessions led by experienced teachers. After the introductory session, students can explore courses in the Python programming series tailored for young learners. 

7. Python Fundamentals at Tynker

Location: Virtual.
Dates: Self-paced. Students can start the course at their own convenience.
Prerequisites: Tynker recommends students taking this course complete Coding Fundamentals Levels 1-3 before. 

With this course you can learn the fundamentals of programming in Python with Tynker’s interactive tools, story-based lessons, and engaging characters. You will explore basic Python concepts and building blocks like variables, I/O, math functions, and loops through puzzles and games. The course also encourages students to explore Python's problem-solving capabilities. Topics covered include syntax, loops, patterns, conditional logic, and data types. This course has both free and paid versions.

Tynker also offers gamified courses and activities like Python 101 for students to learn Python. This course, suitable for learners of any age, begins by solving movement puzzles and brushing up on core coding concepts. And before you know it, you’ll be designing games like Snake, Frogger, and Tetris.

8. PixelPAD.io’s Game Design Tutorials

Location: Virtual.
Dates: Various tutorials are available, each with video sessions that students can watch and learn from. 
Prerequisites: None.

PixelPAD is designed to make sure that the learner has as much fun in the learning process as possible without compromising on the learning aspect. Students can choose from a variety of games with tutorials to understand how they work, with the code on display to ensure transparency with the students. They can then implement the coding skills they’ve learnt to design a game of their own. Some of these tutorials include: smaller pieces like detecting clicks on objects and detecting collisions as well as larger ones like creating a platformer. 

The platform also ensures that there are no magic buttons that will make the game work without much effort from the student’s end. This ensures that the student recognizes the smallest of mistakes, practices, and gets better! 

If you are looking for a collection of resources that go beyond courses, check out this blog on resources to learn Python!

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