Resources
Learn more. Do more.
A curated collection of free courses, local events, and practical guides to help you build real AI and STEM skills — no matter where you're starting from.
Free online courses
Learn from the organizations building AI
These courses are free, beginner-friendly, and built by the companies and institutions defining the field. No experience required.
- Google / Grow with GoogleFree (cert: $49 · aid available)
Google AI Essentials
A self-paced, under-10-hour course covering AI fundamentals, generative AI tools, prompt engineering, and responsible use — no technical background required. Students earn a shareable Google certificate on completion.
- Google Creative LabFree
Google Teachable Machine
A browser-based tool that trains a real machine learning model using your webcam or audio — no coding required, results in under five minutes. A hands-on way to understand how AI actually learns from data.
- Code.orgFree
AI Discoveries — Middle School
A full-year flexible middle school course building AI fluency through hands-on activities — covering how AI perceives, learns, and reasons, with ethics and bias addressed throughout. No prior coding experience needed.
- Code.orgFree
AI Foundations — High School
A full-year high school pathway covering AI principles, programming with AI, and responsible design — including JavaScript, web apps, and using AI as a creative partner. Built for students with no prior experience.
- Khan AcademyFree
Computer Science Principles
A free CS Principles course covering algorithms, the internet, data, cybersecurity, and introductory programming — all foundational to AI work. Fully self-paced and well-sequenced for any starting level.
- DeepLearning.AIFree to audit
AI For Everyone
A non-technical four-week course that demystifies AI — covering what AI can and cannot do, how AI projects work, and the societal impact. No math or coding background required.
- OpenAIFree
OpenAI Academy — Education Collection
Free on-demand videos and learning materials on AI fundamentals, prompt engineering, and responsible use of ChatGPT — including a Prompt Pack for Students. No paid subscription required.
- AnthropicFree
AI Fluency: Framework and Foundations
A free self-paced course covering how to work with AI tools effectively, ethically, and critically — with a framework for delegation, description, discernment, and diligence. Includes a free completion certificate.
- AI4ALLFree
AI4ALL Open Learning
A free online curriculum designed for high school students — especially those underrepresented in AI — covering fundamentals, machine learning concepts, guided projects, and societal implications. No prior experience required.
Greater Philadelphia area
Workshops, programs & events near you
Local opportunities to learn, compete, and connect with other students interested in AI and STEM.
- FIRST Mid-Atlantic RoboticsFree to spectate
FRC Philadelphia District Event
The annual FIRST Robotics Competition Philadelphia district event — high school teams build and program full-scale robots over a six-week season. FLL (LEGO League) events for middle schoolers run through the same region.
- Girls Who CodeFree
Philadelphia School Clubs
Free after-school coding clubs at Philadelphia public schools — including Science Leadership Academy Beeber, MLK High School, Tilden Middle, Bartram, Paul Robeson, and Frankford. Students learn coding and hear from women in tech.
- AI4ALL + UPenn GRASP Robotics LabFree + $400 stipend
AI4ALL @ GRASP Lab Summer Program
A tuition-free summer program on Penn's campus for 9th–10th graders from underrepresented backgrounds — covering AI fundamentals, robotics, and societal impact through lectures, projects, and mentorship. Accepted students receive a $400 participation stipend.
- University of Pennsylvania EngineeringFree
Glassman Penn Scholars Program
A free five-week summer pre-college program for rising Philadelphia high school seniors, covering university-level STEM coursework including AI and CS designed by Penn Engineering faculty. Watch the website for upcoming cycle dates.
- Drexel University College of ComputingFree
Philly Codefest — High School Edition
A one-day hackathon for Philadelphia-area high school students of all experience levels, hosted annually at Drexel. Students form teams and build solutions to real-world challenges in a single day — no coding experience required.
- Temple University College of Engineering$425 · Scholarships available
PY-STEM — Philadelphia Youth for STEM
A one-week summer day camp at Temple University for students completing 5th–7th grade — hands-on STEM experiments, lab tours, engineering challenges, and mentorship from Temple faculty and students.
- Drexel ExCITe Center + Malcolm Jenkins FoundationFree (eligibility required)
Young Dragons Summer STEAM Camp
A free six-week summer day camp for rising 5th–8th graders in the West Philadelphia Promise Zone — coding, robotics, music technology, and health sciences alongside Drexel student mentors. Breakfast and lunch provided.
- University of PennsylvaniaFree to attend
PennApps — High School Track
One of the nation's oldest and largest student hackathons, held on Penn's campus, open to high school students ages 15+ alongside college participants. Food and lodging are provided during the weekend event.
- 1Philadelphia / Technically MediaMost events free
Philly Tech Week
An annual week-long celebration of Philadelphia's tech community (held each May) with 80+ events including workshops, panels, and student-focused sessions on AI, entrepreneurship, and tech careers alongside working professionals.
AI guides for students
Use AI well. Not just fast.
Practical, trusted guides on how to use AI tools effectively, ethically, and in ways that actually build your skills — not replace them.
- Common Sense EducationFree
AI Literacy Lessons for Grades 6–12
Nine free lessons (20 minutes or less each) covering what AI is, how it's trained, AI bias, facial recognition, algorithmic influence, and whether using AI is plagiarism. Student-navigable independently — no teacher required.
- Day of AI / MIT RAISEFree
Day of AI Curriculum Hub
Free AI literacy units backed by MIT researchers covering AI foundations, misinformation, ethics, surveillance, and creative writing with AI. Designed for independent student use with grade-specific learning paths.
- AI4K12 Initiative (AAAI + CSTA)Free
AI4K12 Activity Resource Guides
A curated, peer-reviewed directory of AI activities organized around five big ideas — Perception, Representation, Learning, Natural Interaction, and Societal Impact — with grade progressions from K–12. Includes the latest generative AI topics.
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