AI Discoveries
A flexible middle school course that puts AI fluency at the center, so that every student leaves knowing not just how to use AI, but how to think about it, too.
Curriculum at a glance
Grades: 6, 7, 8
Level: Beginner
Duration: Semester, School Year, Quarter
Devices: Chromebook, Computer
Topics: Programming, Data, Artificial Intelligence, Web Development, Physical Computing, App Design, Games and Animations, AI Literacy
Tools: AI Chat Lab, Web Lab, Game Lab, App Lab, Sketch Lab
Professional Learning: Facilitator-led Workshops, Self-paced Modules
CS Discoveries, evolved for the AI era
If you've taught CS Discoveries, you'll feel at home here. AI Discoveries keeps everything that made CSD work (the flexibility, the creative projects, and the accessibility for teachers without a CS background) and rebuilds it around a simple idea: AI fluency can't be an add-on. It has to be the foundation.
Every student who completes this course leaves knowing how AI systems work, where they can fail, and why the choices behind them matter. They also leave having built something — websites, games, apps, and programs — that’s genuinely theirs.
What's new
Thinking Critically About AI — a brand-new Unit 1
Before students open a code editor or design their first project, they investigate real AI systems: how they're trained, where bias and misinformation creep in, and how to evaluate AI outputs with care. It's the unit middle schoolers have needed, and one they'll actually want to be in.
AI and Machine Learning moves to Unit 2
So AI concepts anchor the rest of the year instead of arriving late.
New Web Lab
The Web Development unit is updated with a new, AI-assisted version of Web Lab that gives students a more powerful building experience while keeping them in the driver's seat on the code that matters most.
AI Tutor for students
In programming units, students have access to an AI-powered Tutor that gives real-time, personalized support as they code, helping them work through challenges independently without giving away the answer.
AI Teaching Assistant for teachers
An embedded TA provides real-time support for lesson planning, differentiation, and pacing, so you're never facing a room of stuck students alone.
What's new
Thinking Critically About AI — a brand-new Unit 1
Before students open a code editor or design their first project, they investigate real AI systems: how they're trained, where bias and misinformation creep in, and how to evaluate AI outputs with care. It's the unit middle schoolers have needed, and one they'll actually want to be in.
AI and Machine Learning moves to Unit 2
So AI concepts anchor the rest of the year instead of arriving late.
New Web Lab
The Web Development unit is updated with a new, AI-assisted version of Web Lab that gives students a more powerful building experience while keeping them in the driver's seat on the code that matters most.
AI Tutor for students
In programming units, students have access to an AI-powered Tutor that gives real-time, personalized support as they code, helping them work through challenges independently without giving away the answer.
AI Teaching Assistant for teachers
An embedded TA provides real-time support for lesson planning, differentiation, and pacing, so you're never facing a room of stuck students alone.
A curriculum that fits the time you have
AI Discoveries is designed to flex. Whether you have a quarter, a semester, or a full year, there's an implementation that works for your classroom.
Full Year (36 weeks)
The complete course: all three domains, a capstone project, and the full arc from AI literacy to creation.
Semester (18 weeks)
A broader foundation plus sustained depth in one domain. A complete, meaningful experience in half a year.
Quarter (9 weeks)
Start with Thinking Critically About AI, build a shared CS and AI foundation, and go deep in one area — web development, programming, or data.
Standalone units
Many units can also be taught on their own, independently of the others!
What students learn
Unit 1
Thinking Critically About AI
AI literacy, algorithmic bias, misinformation, responsible AI use, digital ethics
Unit 2
AI and Machine Learning
How ML works, training data, classification models, bias in AI systems
Unit 3
Web Development
HTML, CSS, Web Lab, internet fundamentals, accessibility, digital citizenship
Unit 4a
Programming with Music Lab
Sequencing, loops, functions, event-driven programming, computational thinking
Unit 4b
Interactive Animations and Games
Variables, conditionals, events, game design, iterative development
Unit 5
The Design Process
Human-centered design, user research, wireframing, prototyping, feedback
Unit 6
Data and Society
Data collection and analysis, privacy, algorithmic bias, ethical data use
Unit 7
Creating Apps with Devices
Physical computing, sensors, hardware programming. Choose between Circuit Playground or BBC micro:bit.
Built for your classroom
You don't need a computer science background to teach AI Discoveries. Detailed lesson plans, embedded AI support, and self-paced professional learning are all included and designed for teachers who are learning alongside their students.
- Step-by-step lesson plans with slides, activity guides, and rubrics
- Self-paced PL modules aligned to each unit
- Facilitator-led summer workshops if you prefer to learn live
- AI Teaching Assistant embedded in the platform
- 100% free
Safe for your students
AI Discoveries is designed with middle school classrooms in mind. Web Lab and AI tools are built for students ages 11 and up. All interactions with the AI Tutor are stored securely and automatically deleted after 90 days. Student interactions are never used to train third-party AI models.
Part of a bigger picture
AI Discoveries connects directly to AI Foundations, our flagship high school AI+CS course. Students who complete AI Discoveries arrive in high school with the conceptual foundation, AI literacy, and design thinking skills that can be built upon in AI Foundations.
It's a K–12 pathway that actually holds together.
Ready to bring AI Discoveries to your classroom?
Still have questions? Reach out to us! We are here to help.
Our support team is here to answer any questions you may have about starting teaching with Code.org. You can also ask other teachers about their experience on our teacher forums.
Stay informed on AI+CS education
Join our community of educators, parents, and advocates by signing up for the latest updates on AI+CS education and Code.org initiatives. Be the first to receive news, resources, and opportunities to support AI+CS learning.
You can unsubscribe at any time.
Additional resources
Paragraph
Curriculum Catalog
Comprehensive curriculum offerings for every grade and experience level featuring robust structured and self-paced learning options.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Explore how AI is shaping our world through free curriculum, videos, and integrations that make artificial intelligence accessible and inspiring.
Professional Learning
Flexible, high-quality training that helps build confidence and equips teachers to effectively teach computer science with our curriculum.