HKUST UPC – AI Coding (6-10 years old) – Level 2

Location: HKUST – Room 5501

Course Schedule

Course Overview

Building on Level 1’s foundations, Level 2 transforms young AI creators into advanced innovators who can build sophisticated multi-modal AI applications. Students will create chatbots, develop object detection systems, generate AI music, explore natural language processing, and design complex interactive experiences. This advanced journey emphasizes AI ethics, collaborative innovation, and portfolio development while maintaining the playful, engaging approach of Level 1.

8-Week Advanced Curriculum

Week 1: AI That Talks Back – Natural Language Processing 🗣️💬

Core Concepts:

• Introduction to Natural Language Processing (NLP)
• How AI understands and generates human language
• Text classification and sentiment analysis basics
• Building conversational AI systems

Hands-On Activities:

• Chatbot Builder Studio: Create a simple AI chatbot using kid-friendly NLP tools that can answer questions about their favorite topics
• Sentiment Detective: Build AI that detects if messages are happy, sad, or excited using text classification
• Story Continuation AI: Train AI to continue stories they start, understanding context and creative writing
• Question-Answer Bot: Develop AI that can answer questions about school subjects, pets, or hobbies
• Code.org Text Adventures: Complete text-based coding challenges that introduce string manipulation and text processing

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand how AI processes and generates human language
• Build functional chatbots using supervised learning for text
• Recognize sentiment and emotion in written communication
• Create AI writing assistants and story generators

Week 2: Advanced Computer Vision – Objects & Tracking 👁️🎯

Core Concepts:

• Object detection vs. image classification
• Real-time tracking systems
• Multiple object recognition
• Bounding boxes and localization

Hands-On Activities:

• Object Detector Pro: Upgrade from simple classification to detecting multiple objects in a single image using advanced Teachable Machine features
• Treasure Tracker: Build AI that tracks moving objects through webcam, creating games where AI follows their hand movements or favorite toys
• Multi-Pet Classifier: Create AI that can identify and count multiple pets or toys in a single photo
• Motion Maze Navigator: Develop gesture-controlled games where AI tracks hand positions to navigate mazes
• Sports Move Analyzer: Build AI that recognizes different sports poses and movements
• Real-Time Drawing Detector: Create AI that recognizes what they’re drawing in real-time as they draw it

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand difference between classification and detection
• Build AI that finds and tracks objects in real-time
• Create applications that respond to movement and position
• Develop interactive games using computer vision tracking

Week 3: AI Music & Sound Creation 🎵🎹

Core Concepts:

• Audio classification and generation
• Music pattern recognition
• Sound synthesis and transformation
• Rhythm and melody in AI

Hands-On Activities:

• Instrument Classifier: Train AI to recognize different musical instruments and create virtual band applications
• Beat Maker AI: Develop AI that generates drum patterns and rhythms based on their preferences
• Melody Generator: Create AI that composes simple melodies in different styles (happy, spooky, heroic)
• Sound Effects Designer: Build AI that creates and modifies sound effects for games and stories
• Music Mood Detector: Develop AI that identifies emotions in music (energetic, calm, playful)
• Voice Transformer: Create AI that can modify their voice into robot voices, echo effects, or different pitches

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand how AI processes and creates audio
• Build AI that recognizes and generates music
• Create sound-based interactive applications
• Develop multi-sensory AI experiences

Week 4: Combining AI Powers – Multi-Modal Magic 🌈🤖

Core Concepts:

• Multi-modal AI systems
• Combining vision, sound, and text
• Creating comprehensive AI experiences
• Data fusion and integration

Hands-On Activities:

• Super AI Assistant: Combine previous projects into an AI helper that can see, hear, and respond with text
• Interactive Story Theater: Create AI that generates stories with pictures and sound effects based on their ideas
• Smart Room Monitor: Build AI that uses camera and microphone to recognize activities and respond appropriately
• Musical Emotion Art: Develop AI that creates visual art based on music it hears or emotions it detects
• Voice-Controlled Art Studio: Combine voice recognition with image generation for hands-free creative experiences
• Multi-Sense Game Creator: Design games that use vision, sound, and text AI together

Learning Outcomes:

• Integrate multiple AI capabilities into single applications
• Understand how different AI types work together
• Create rich, interactive multi-sensory experiences
• Design comprehensive AI-powered projects

Week 5: AI Ethics & Responsible Technology 🌍⚖️

Core Concepts:

• Fairness in AI systems
• Privacy and data protection
• Bias recognition and prevention
• Responsible AI use

Hands-On Activities:

• Bias Detective Challenge: Discover how unbalanced training data creates unfair AI through interactive demonstrations
• Fair Data Builder: Create balanced datasets for training unbiased AI models
• Privacy Protector Game: Learn about data privacy through scenarios and decision-making games
• Helpful vs. Harmful AI: Evaluate AI applications and discuss which are beneficial and which could be problematic
• AI Ethics Decision Lab: Work through age-appropriate ethical scenarios about AI use
• Diverse Data Collection: Build datasets that represent many different people, objects, and situations fairly

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand importance of fairness in AI
• Recognize bias in datasets and AI systems
• Make informed decisions about privacy and data
• Think critically about AI’s role in society

Week 6: Advanced Interactive AI Games 🎮🕹️

Core Concepts:

• Game AI development
• Adaptive difficulty systems
• Player behavior analysis
• Dynamic content generation

Hands-On Activities:

• Smart Enemy Creator: Build game characters that learn from player behavior and adapt their strategies
• Difficulty Adjuster AI: Create games that automatically get harder or easier based on player performance
• Multiplayer AI Coach: Develop AI that provides tips and hints based on how players are doing
• Procedural Level Generator: Build AI that creates new game levels automatically using pattern recognition
• Achievement Predictor: Create AI that suggests personalized challenges based on player strengths
• AI Game Tournament: Compete in games where AI opponents learn and improve during gameplay

Learning Outcomes:

• Design adaptive game AI systems
• Create dynamic difficulty adjustment
• Build AI that responds to player behavior
• Develop engaging interactive experiences

Week 7: Building Your AI Superhero Helper 🦸‍♀️✨

Core Concepts:

• Personal AI assistant design
• Task automation and scheduling
• Reminder and notification systems
• Context-aware assistance

Hands-On Activities:

• AI Helper Blueprint: Design comprehensive specifications for their ideal AI assistant using templates and planning tools
• Smart Reminder Bot: Build AI that reminds them about homework, chores, or activities at the right time
• Study Buddy Creator: Develop AI that helps with learning through quizzes, flashcards, and practice exercises
• Morning Routine Assistant: Create AI that guides them through their morning routine with voice and visual prompts
• Homework Helper AI: Build AI that can explain concepts, check answers, and provide encouragement
• Personal AI Personality: Customize their AI helper’s personality, voice, and behavior preferences

Learning Outcomes:

• Design comprehensive AI assistant systems
• Create practical AI tools for daily life
• Understand task automation and scheduling
• Build personalized AI helpers

Week 8: Portfolio Showcase & Future Innovators Fair 🏆🎊

Comprehensive Celebration Activities:

• Advanced Project Presentations: Present their most sophisticated AI creations from Level 2 with detailed explanations
• Live AI Demonstrations: Interactive stations where visitors can try their multi-modal AI systems
• Peer Mentoring Sessions: Help Level 1 students understand concepts they’ve mastered
• Innovation Showcase: Display their complete portfolio including before/after improvements
• AI Ethics Discussion Panel: Lead discussions about responsible AI use with classmates and guests
• Creative AI Performance: Demonstrate their music-generating, art-creating, and game-playing AI systems
• Level 3 Preview: Introduction to machine learning mathematics and advanced neural network concepts (for continuing students)
• Digital Portfolio Publishing: Create comprehensive online portfolios documenting their entire AI journey
• Certificate of Advanced Achievement: Recognition ceremony celebrating their growth as young AI innovators

Learning Focus: Celebrate achievements, demonstrate mastery, inspire others, and prepare for continued AI exploration.

Course Features ✨

Advanced Digital Tools:

• Advanced Teachable Machine features (pose detection, multi-label classification)
• Scratch AI with complex extensions
• NLP libraries adapted for kids (simple chatbot builders)
• Advanced Code.org AI courses
• ML5.js browser-based projects
• Voice synthesis and recognition APIs
• Real-time collaborative AI development platforms

Sophisticated Learning Methodology:

• Project-based learning with multi-week builds
• Peer teaching and mentoring opportunities
• Advanced debugging and troubleshooting skills
• Ethical reasoning integrated throughout
• Portfolio development and documentation
• Professional-style project presentations
• Collaborative team challenges

Comprehensive Skill Development:

• Advanced computational thinking
• Multi-modal AI integration
• Ethical technology design
• Complex problem-solving
• Technical communication
• Collaborative innovation
• Critical evaluation of AI systems

Requirements 📋

• Completion of Level 1 or instructor approval after pre-evaluation
• Computer/tablet with webcam and microphone
• Reliable internet connection
• Modern web browser
• Enthusiasm for advanced AI creation
• Readiness to mentor and collaborate

Duration: 8 weeks, 60 minutes per session
Class Size: Maximum 15 students for personalized attention
Format: Hands-on digital creation with live instructor guidance