Why this program
AI access must become usable skill.
Young people need more than exposure to technology. They need to know how to ask good questions, verify information, protect their privacy, make responsible choices and turn digital tools into work they can explain and defend.
Every participant completes one shared four-week AI core. The final three weeks divide into age-appropriate pathways that produce a tangible project and a public showcase.
Seven-week pathway
From curiosity to capability.
- 1Understand AI
What AI is, where it appears, what it can do and where human judgment is required.
- 2Prompt with purpose
Ask stronger questions, add context, refine instructions and compare outputs.
- 3Verify and protect
Check sources; recognize hallucinations, bias and impersonation; protect privacy and copyright.
- 4Apply the skill
Use AI for research, opportunity searches, budgeting, money basics and practical problem-solving.
- 5–7Build a project
Younger youth create digital media; teens choose career and education or entrepreneurship.
- FinalYouth showcase
Present completed work, demonstrate responsible use and document learning for the next cohort.
Ages 8–12
AI Creative Media
Youth develop an original character or avatar, create a story and storyboard, assemble scenes and narration, and complete a three-to-four-minute digital video or cartoon. Safety, consent, copyright and synthetic-media awareness are built into the work.
Ages 13–17
Choose a teen pathway
Career & Education: research careers, schools, certifications, apprenticeships, scholarships and realistic next steps; begin a portfolio and 1–3–5 year plan.
Entrepreneurship: define a customer and problem, build a simple plan and budget, create a basic website, learn customer follow-up and prepare a short pitch.
Working pilot budget
Small enough to test. Structured to measure.
The working cash target is $3,950 if Blake Library laptop support is formally confirmed, or $5,950 if Heritage & Opportunity Alliance must supply the shared laptop pool. These are planning allowances—not vendor quotes or confirmed awards.
- Shared laptops or refurbished devices
- Tablets, headphones, cases and styluses
- Software and creative-media tools
- Instructor and youth-mentor support
- Snacks, materials and showcase recognition
Take part
Enroll, mentor, partner or fund the pilot.
The October 14 launch date is set. Final class time, participant list, library device support and operating arrangements will be published when confirmed.