AI Fundamentals
Discover how AI works, where it shows up in everyday life, and how to use it effectively for school, creativity, and beyond — no coding required.
AI Fundamentals gives students a practical, well-rounded introduction to artificial intelligence — what it is, how it works, and how it is already shaping their everyday lives. Students explore generative AI, learn prompt engineering techniques, discover how AI is used across industries from healthcare to entertainment, and build hands-on skills for using AI as a tool for learning, creativity, research, and productivity. Through interactive demonstrations and guided, no-code activities, students practice working with AI thoughtfully — giving clear direction, evaluating outputs critically, and iterating to improve results
The program also introduces emerging concepts like agentic AI and AI-powered workflows, giving students a window into where the technology is headed. Responsible use is woven throughout, with dedicated time for discussing bias, privacy, academic integrity, and ethical decision-making. The program concludes with a capstone project and showcase where students present their work, process, and reflections to an audience of parents, educators, and peers.
Program Details
Start Date
July 27, 2026
End Date
August 7, 2026
Duration
2 weeks
Program Times
2:00 - 4:00 PM PST
Program Cost
$400
Program Information
Prerequisites
- No prior programming or AI experience required
- Comfort using a computer and web-based tools
- Curiosity about AI and how it can be used in school, daily life, and future careers
Program Format
- Visual demos and guided exploration of AI tools and concepts
- Build prompt engineering skills and apply them to research, creative projects, and productivity tasks
- Learn how to evaluate AI outputs and make responsible choices, including bias awareness and academic integrity
- Create a capstone project from idea to final presentation, ending with a showcase of student work
Curriculum Highlights
- AI Foundations & AI All Around You: What AI is and where it shows up in daily life (recommendations, voice assistants, search, and social feeds); students identify AI they use every day
- Generative AI & AI Workflows: Core prompting skills; turning prompts into repeatable workflows for writing, research, and presentations
- AI for Learning,Research & Critical Thinking: Using AI for research, writing, and study support; spotting limitations (hallucinations, bias) and fact-checking outputs
- AI & Creativity: Using prompt engineering for art, music, storytelling, and design; how creators use AI in real workflows
Capstone Project & Showcase
Students develop a capstone project that brings together everything they learn in the course. They move step-by-step from an initial idea to a polished final presentation, documenting their process along the way (including prompts, iterations, and key decisions). Students present their finished work at the final showcase for an audience that may include parents, educators, instructors, mentors, and peers. Upon successful completion, students receive a certificate recognizing their participation and capstone achievement.
Meet the Instructors
Priya brings over 25 years of industry experience across a wide range of technology domains, with a specialization in AI and data. She has worked extensively with large-scale datasets and complex analytical concepts, translating technical work into practical, real-world applications. With more than a decade of teaching experience, she has taught students computer science, Python, AI, and data science, supporting learners at different skill levels. Priya is passionate about working with students to build confidence, curiosity, and responsible problem-solving skills through engaging, hands-on projects.
Anjana brings a strong background in data and AI education, with experience guiding high school students through hands-on projects that connect technical skills to real community needs. She helps students frame meaningful questions, work with real-world datasets, and communicate findings with clarity and confidence. Anjana is passionate about creating an inclusive, supportive classroom where students feel empowered to learn and contribute positively.
Program Registration
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