Future MindsAISign up

AI & computer science for grades 9–12 · East Coast · Founding cohort in Philadelphia · January 2027

Learn AI and computer science. Shape what comes next.

Future Minds AI is an 8-week AI and computer science program for grades 9–12 students, built for ambitious teens across Philadelphia and the East Coast. Live virtual classes teach students to use AI efficiently for school, creativity, productivity, and entrepreneurship, then apply those skills to shape a business, build a working prototype, and deliver a final pitch.

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13+Student age9–12Priority grades$800Tuition8 weeksPractical AI learning
Instructors guiding high-school students during a collaborative AI and computer science workshop
48hours of live instruction

Experience in action: a prior youth program led by members of our team.

Designed by practitioners. Built for ambitious students.

AI fluencySchool & college readinessProductivityEntrepreneurship

Why Future Minds

Learn to use AI effectively in the modern era.

Use AI with purpose

Students learn practical ways to research, organize ideas, create, and work more productively—while using AI responsibly.

Apply it to something real

The founding course uses a business, website, or digital product as the vehicle for turning AI knowledge into action.

Build real confidence

Small-group mentoring, public work, and a live pitch help students see themselves as capable creators.

The founding course

Practical AI skills applied to one original idea.

Students gain reusable AI habits while finishing with a working prototype, a shaped business concept, and a final pitch.

01

A practical AI workflow

Learn how to use AI to research, plan, create, and work more efficiently.

02

A working prototype

Apply those skills to turn an original idea into something people can use.

03

A shaped business

Define the audience, value, brand, and digital presence behind the idea.

04

A final pitch

Create a pitch deck and confidently present the finished concept at our showcase.

The 8-week journey

From a blank page to launch day.

Students learn through short lessons, team breakouts, guided building, mentor office hours, and steady feedback.

High school students working together at a table while a mentor provides guidance
  1. 1

    Weeks 1–2

    AI foundations & discovery

    Learn to use AI for research, planning, creativity, and productivity, then choose a problem worth solving.
  2. 2

    Weeks 3–4

    Shape the business

    Use AI to develop the audience, value proposition, brand, website, and product experience.
  3. 3

    Weeks 5–6

    Prototype & test

    Create a working prototype, gather feedback, and improve it with a small team.
  4. 4

    Weeks 7–8

    Refine & pitch

    Strengthen the concept, tell its story, and deliver a final presentation to a live audience.
High school students presenting their AI project to an audience

More than screen time

Mentorship, teamwork, and a moment to shine.

Students meet mostly online, but the experience is deeply human: small teams, consistent mentors, live feedback, and two Philadelphia gatherings that turn their work into a shared accomplishment.

5–10students per mentor group when full mentor staffing is in place
Images on this page are from prior youth technology programs led by members of the Future Minds team.

Founding cohort details

A serious program that fits around school.

The first cohort is intentionally structured, live, and limited so every student has a clear path from idea to finished project.

Dates
January 12 – March 6, 2027
Live classes
Tuesday & Thursday, 6–8 PM; Saturday, 10 AM–12 PM
Format
Mostly virtual in Microsoft Teams, with two required in-person experiences
In person
Kickoff January 16 and showcase March 6 at Pennovation, subject to final venue confirmation
Who it’s for
Students age 13+ in grades 9–12; no prior coding experience required
Tuition
$800, including program materials, in-person events, and so much more
Technology
Any browser-capable laptop or Chromebook; student-paid AI subscriptions may be optional

Program leadership

Built by people who know technology—and young people.

Future Minds brings together experience in AI, software, cybersecurity, aerospace, entrepreneurship, and youth program leadership.

Quincy Walker, Founder and Curriculum Lead of Future Minds AI

Founder & Curriculum Lead

Quincy Walker

A Temple-trained technologist with leadership experience across AI, cloud, cybersecurity, software, and data engineering. Quincy has worked at NVIDIA, Microsoft, and Amazon and helped lead hands-on youth coding programs through DMV NSBE Jr.

View LinkedIn profile
Dr. Aprille Ericsson, Program Director of Future Minds AI

Program Director

Dr. Aprille Ericsson

An aerospace engineer, STEM champion, and former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Science and Technology, Dr. Ericsson brings more than 30 years of NASA experience and a long record of opening STEM pathways for young people.

View LinkedIn profile
An instructor helping a young student learn computer science at a computer during a prior Microsoft Code Academy program

Experience that matters

Building on proven youth program leadership.

Quincy and Dr. Ericsson have both helped lead DMV NSBE Jr., including Microsoft Code Academy experiences where students learned web development, JavaScript, Python, and practical problem-solving.

Explore prior enrichment programs

How to join

Start with interest. We’ll guide the rest.

The interest form will help us understand your student’s goals, preferred schedule, and course interests before enrollment opens.

Sign up now
  1. 1

    Share your interest

    Complete the short family interest form.

  2. 2

    Meet the program

    Join a family conversation or information session.

  3. 3

    Confirm enrollment

    Complete registration and tuition payment.

  4. 4

    Get ready to build

    Attend onboarding and set up the required tools.

Questions families ask

The practical details.

Does my student need coding experience?

No. The program focuses on practical AI fluency and is designed for beginners. In the founding course, students apply AI through a business and digital-product project. Students with prior technical experience can be placed in an advanced project group.

What equipment is required?

Students need a browser-capable laptop or Chromebook, a webcam, reliable internet, and access to the program’s online tools.

What if a student misses a live class?

All three weekly classes are part of the program. When an absence is unavoidable, students can review the recording and complete the assigned catch-up work.

Are projects individual or team-based?

Most students will build in small teams, supported by a mentor. Individual projects may be approved when that is the better fit for the student and project.

Who owns what students create?

Students own the intellectual property they create. Future Minds AI will only share a student’s name, image, or project for marketing with separate permission.

What is included in tuition?

Tuition includes live instruction, mentoring, program materials, two in-person experiences, and so much more. Families provide a laptop and any optional paid AI subscription.

Is Future Minds AI open to students outside Philadelphia?

Yes. Classes meet virtually over Microsoft Teams, so students anywhere on the East Coast can attend live sessions. The two in-person experiences—the kickoff and final showcase—are held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, so families outside the region should plan for travel to those two dates.

Ideas belong in the world

Your student can build more than they imagine.

Future Minds AI is preparing its founding Philadelphia cohort for January 2027. Complete the signup form to tell us about your student and their interests.

Sign up for Future Minds