Coding for Kids
Have you been hearing the buzz about Artificial Intelligence lately? You might have seen chatbots, self-driving cars, and AI-powered image generators in the news.
Wonder how this amazing technology works? And how you could use AI in your own JavaScript projects on Tynker? Take a look at our latest course, Artificial Intelligence, for a guided tour designed for beginners ages 11+. (Tynker already has an AI block-coding course for younger learners ages 7+, too!)
This brand-new Artificial Intelligence course is filled with fun activities that will help you see the big ideas of AI and Machine Learning (ML).
- Watch patient conceptual videos to learn the basics of AI/ML, then explore the demonstration project’s code hands-on. This AI course from Tynker uses JavaScript.
- Train a simple AI model by hand, then see how the training affects the model’s behavior. Learn how reinforcement learning can train an AI to master video games through trial-and-error.
- Learn how to use MediaPipe, a powerful AI library created by developers at Google.
- Explore the basics of using your webcam’s live video with AI. Then write apps that are controlled with the player’s hands. Think: virtual game controllers and augmented reality. You can even track landmarks to determine your pose and position.
- Explore unsupervised learning, neural networks, genetic algorithms, and other key ML ideas.
- Work with strings in all-new ways using natural language processing (NLP) — make the computer tell you a story of its own invention.
Designed for: Grades 6-10
Language: JavaScript and MediaPipe
Prerequisites: Algebra I. Previous programming experience is recommended but not strictly necessary (Complete Tynker’s JavaScript 1 or Counterhack).
Course Length: 9 Weeks (or longer). Self-paced and self-guided.
Table of Contents
What’s Inside?
Check out what you’ll learn:
Unit 1: What Is AI?
Get an introduction to what makes Artificial Intelligence (AI) so different from traditional programming solutions. Explore recent technological advances and consider a few areas of modern life affected by AI. Watch introductory videos and play with interactive sandboxes to get the big idea. Get a refresher on JavaScript and p5.js basics, too.
Unit 2: Training Models
Explore a branch of AI called supervised learning, which requires human intelligence to categorize objects and provide training data. Train an AI that can classify gestures in real time, using your webcam’s video — then train AI that can classify handwritten digits and letters. Code these classic explorations of artificial intelligence yourself, using a friendly library designed for beginners.
Unit 3: Working With Models
Harness the power of MediaPipe, a convenient AI library, which offers several pre-trained models. Explore hand-tracking and pose-tracking applications, and how to use MediaPipe’s landmark system. Create general-purpose image classification and explore common computer vision problems in a simplified environment.
Unit 4: Reinforcement Learning
Continue your dive into AI techniques and explore advanced applications, starting with AIs that learn how to play games. Computers never get tired of playing the same game again and again — explore how computers can learn without any human intervention using neural networks and more.
Unit 5: AI and Ethics
When your program might be used by millions of users, you have a serious responsibility to avoid errors, biases, and defects. Explore the ethical design of AI by researching famous failures and successes. Read about AI’s impact on medicine, authorship, criminal justice, war, and more. Research the beneficial and harmful effects of AI — and imagine yourself as a responsible developer.
AI for Younger Learners
Not ready for JavaScript? That’s OK. Don’t miss out on Tynker’s AI course for block-coders, too, suitable for coders ages 7-12+. Read the course summary at the link — or dive right in!
This course explores the same big ideas of AI and ML, but using Tynker’s block code!
Even More Text Coding Courses
Are you already a Tynker subscriber? Did you know you have access to amazing kid-friendly courses for Python, JavaScript, and Java programming? Take a look at what’s available in Tynker below!
- Introduction to Programming and Art – Get introduced to art, design, and animation principles using Processing, a programming language designed for the visual arts community.
- JavaScript 1 – Learn to code fun browser-based games using JavaScript and HTML canvas. Build 11 mini-games like Snake and Pong!
- Intro to Web Development – Learn to create responsive web pages using HTML and CSS.
- Python 1 — Learn fundamental programming concepts and create some awesome, playable games along the way.
- Python 2 — Take your Python skills to the next level by learning about functions, data structures, recursion, and more. Short, hands-on exercises keep things engaging.
- Python 3 — You’ve learned syntax. Now solve problems that excite and inspire — with Python! Make useful applications, explore game design, try data science, and create digital art with cool Python modules.
- Data Science 1 — Data is everywhere around us, transforming our world. Learn how to make use of Python, the most popular language for data science — and create beautiful data visualizations.
- Java 1 — Engineer a variety of real-world solutions with Java, and get ready to take on AP Computer Science A! Explore the fundamentals of computer science and object-oriented programming (OOP) in a hands-on, fun, and visual way.
