Emerging Technology α (age 13+)

Program Description

In this hands-on, 12-week course, students learn how AI actually works — from the history of artificial intelligence to the Perceive → Think → Act → Observe loop that powers every AI agent today. Students learn to compare real, current agent tools, design an original agent blueprint of their own, and then step into the role of Director: reviewing an AI coding agent's plans, debugging its mistakes, directing its design choices, and guiding a real project from a rough idea to a finished, deployed app they can show off. The course closes with three weeks on blockchain — how it creates trust without a middleman, where it shows up beyond cryptocurrency, and how Bitcoin, utility coins, and meme coins are fundamentally different things. Along the way, students build the critical thinking skills to question, verify, and use these technologies responsibly. Learning Outcomes: 🤖 Understand How AI Agents Really Work – Students learn the Perceive → Think → Act → Observe loop behind every AI agent and compare real, current tools. 🧑‍💻 Direct a Real, Deployed Project – Acting as "Director" over an AI coding agent, students scope, build, debug, and launch a finished app of their own design. 🔍 Build Critical Thinking for the AI Era – From catching AI's confident mistakes, to recognizing AI slop, to understanding blockchain trust without a middleman, students learn to question, verify, and use technology responsibly. This course is perfect for curious teens, parents, educators, and anyone who wants to go beyond scrolling and chatting with AI — and learn to build, direct, and think critically about the technology that's reshaping their world. Parents: If you're interested in learning exactly what your student is learning, choose the parent co-class option at checkout and we'll send you more information. Supplies: Students bring personal laptops to class.