What Is the Airhead After School Program?

Welcome! The Airhead After School Program is our one-of-a-kind learning experience designed to make the world of Artificial Intelligence accessible, fun, and engaging for young learners.

This FAQ will answer the most common questions about the program, what you need to get started, and how to get the most out of it.

General Program Questions

What is the Airhead After School program?

It's a dynamic, hands-on program that operates on a "self-paced with live support" model. Students work through their lessons (called "Missions") at their own speed, but they are strongly encouraged to do this work during our live AI Lab. This approach combines the flexibility of self-paced learning with the motivation and community of a live, interactive class.

How does the program work?

Students log into our members' area, navigate to the "Airhead After School" space, and find their "Missions." While students can work on these Missions at any time, we strongly recommend they work on them during our live AI Lab (Wednesdays, 3 PM - 5 PM ET).

Working during the live lab keeps students motivated and engaged. They can see other students learning at the same time and get instant help from our AI experts, AI Junior and AI Johnny, so they never get stuck or frustrated.

What will my student learn?

Our core philosophy is our Pledge of Honor: the ultimate goal is true learning and self-improvement, not just checking off boxes.

The program is built on a foundation of critical thinking and ethical AI use. Students will learn:

  • Fundamental AI Terms: Understanding the vocabulary of AI.

  • Prompt Engineering: How to ask the right questions to get the best results from AI.

  • How to Use Large Language Models (LLMs): Hands-on experience with tools like ChatGPT.

  • AI Ethics: Discussing the right and wrong ways to use AI.

  • Critical Soft Skills: Teamwork, problem-solving, and public speaking.

What are "Missions" and "Directives"?

"Missions" and "Directives" are our exclusive, hands-on projects and lessons. They are designed to inspire, instruct, and challenge students, making complex AI concepts understandable and exciting.

Schedule & The Live AI Lab

When is the live AI Lab?

The live AI Lab happens every Wednesday from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time (ET), except during holidays and special events.

What is the "Airhead AI Lab"?

The Airhead AI Lab is the core of our program. It's a live, virtual session on Zoom where students, guides, and AI experts all come together. It is a "hop-in, hop-out" session, so students can join anytime during the 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM ET window, work on their Missions, ask questions, collaborate with peers, and get live help from our experts.

Why should my student work during the live AI Lab?

We strongly recommend students work on their Missions during this time for a few key reasons:

  1. To Avoid Frustration: If a student gets stuck, they can get help immediately and not give up.

  2. To Stay Motivated: It’s easy to lose focus when learning alone. The live lab provides structure and energy.

  3. For Community: Students see other peers working on their projects. This builds a fun, collaborative team environment, even though everyone is on their own individual mission.

Program Length & Commitment

How long does the program last?

The Airhead After School Program is an ongoing monthly subscription.

AI is constantly changing and evolving. What you learn today may be outdated next year. Because of this, our program is tailored to be fun and engaging, focusing on foundational knowledge and repetition. The main areas of focus—critical thinking, the ethical use of AI, and other soft skills—cannot be built in a short period of time.

While you can cancel your subscription at any time, we recommend that you commit at least one year to the program to truly cement the foundation needed to excel.

Location & How to Join

Can my student do this from home?

Yes! The "At Home" program is the most common way to join. Your student can sign up for the "Airhead Institute Pro" plan and participate from home. We strongly encourage them to log in and work on their Missions during the virtual live AI Lab (Wednesdays, 3 PM - 5 PM ET).

Can my student do this at their school?

Yes. Some schools partner with us to create their own "Airhead After School" club. In this model, students meet in a common area (like a computer lab) and join our virtual live AI Lab during the 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM ET window to work and get help from our experts.

My child's school doesn't have this program. What can I do?

You can still sign up for the "At Home" program! If you would like your school to start its own official program, tell your teachers or principal about Airhead Institute. They can apply for scholarships for both teachers and students, which can deeply discount the monthly cost.

Requirements (What You Need)

What plan do I need to join?

To participate in the Airhead After School program, you must have an active "Airhead Institute Pro" plan. This plan also unlocks all show replays and all other premium content on our platform.

What technology or hardware is required?

To get the most out of the program, we recommend the following:

  • Device: A laptop (Windows, Mac, or Linux) is strongly recommended. A tablet (like an iPad or Android tablet) will also work well.

  • Headset: A headset or headphones are required for joining the live AI Lab to ensure clear communication.

  • Mobile Phone: A phone is not recommended for working on Missions. The screen is too small to be productive and may lead to frustration.

Does my student need their own email address?

We strongly recommend that the student's account is created with an email address they can personally access. This helps them learn independence, manage their own schedule, and receive important communications and reminders.

Audience

What is the target age group?

The "Airhead After School" program is specifically designed for students aged 9 to 17.

I'm an adult (18+). Can I join the After School Program?

Absolutely! While the program is geared toward younger learners, nothing stops an adult from joining. It's a fantastic way to learn the fundamentals of AI in a clear and easy-to-understand format.

If you prefer a "lunch and learn" style of immersive learning geared more toward adults, we also encourage you to check out the "Airhead Institute Show," which airs live on weekdays at 12:00 PM ET.

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What Is the Airhead Institute Show?

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Getting Started: How to Begin the Airhead After School Program