Build the Future: Free AI Course for Mercer Island Students

Hosted by Parents for Mercer Island
October 2 to November 13, 2025 | 100% Remote | Free of Cost | Limited to 30 Students

Empowering Students Beyond the Classroom

At Parents for Mercer Island, we believe education doesn’t stop at the classroom door — especially when our students and families are eager to learn more than what’s currently offered. That’s why we’re committed to expanding opportunities in high-demand, future-ready subjects that the school district has yet to prioritize. Whether it’s AI, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, or advanced STEM, our mission is to empower Mercer Island students with the skills, knowledge, and experiences needed to thrive, not just today, but for the world of tomorrow. This AI course is the first of many free programs we’ll offer throughout the school year, all geared toward enabling, growing, and inspiring students to reach their full potential.

Who Can Participate

This course is open to all Mercer Island students in grades 6–12, whether enrolled in public, private, or homeschool programs.

Students must show proof of Mercer Island residency (utility bill or equivalent).
Parents are encouraged to participate alongside their child, though it is not required.
No prior AI or programming experience is needed. Just curiosity and a commitment to learn.
The course is 100% online and accessible from any internet-connected device.

What You’ll Learn

Over six weeks, students will go from concept to creation, learning how to build, connect, and launch a real-world AI-powered application. The course is led by senior engineers, researchers, and innovators from Amazon, Microsoft, Shopify, and successful AI startups.

You’ll gain hands-on experience with:

Open-source LLMs (like Mistral, LLaMA)
Agentic frameworks (LangGraph, CrewAI, AutoGen)
Frontend tools like Lovable, Streamlit, and Gradio
Vector databases, APIs, and real-time AI deployment
Designing and launching a complete AI product

Course Schedule (Oct 2 – Nov 13, 2025)

  
      Week
      Focus
      Description
    

  
      Week 1
Oct 2 – Oct 8
      Getting Started
      Intro to AI, course goals, and technical environment setup.
    

      Week 2
Oct 9 – Oct 15
      Backend Development
      Use open-source LLMs and agentic frameworks to build your AI backend.
    

      Week 3
Oct 16 – Oct 22
      Frontend Design
      Design your interface using tools like Lovable, Streamlit, or Gradio.
    

      Week 4
Oct 23 – Oct 29
      Full Integration
      Connect backend logic to your frontend for a functioning AI app.
    

      Week 5
Oct 30 – Nov 5
      Final Build Week
      Complete and refine your full AI application with support from mentors.
    

      Week 6
Nov 6 – Nov 13
      Demo & Scholarship
      Present your project to industry judges. Best project wins a $2,500 scholarship.
    

Why Join?

Free to all eligible Mercer Island students
Taught by nationally recognized AI professionals
Hands-on, project-based learning experience
No cost, no travel — learn from home
Great for school portfolios, college prep, and career exposure
One student will be awarded $2,500 for the best project.

Ready to Register?

Enrollment is open now. Spaces are limited to the first 30 students.
Submit your registration today and join a community of students and families building the future together.