AI Pioneers Ages 16–18

Applied ML & Data Science

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Real data, real models, real judgement.

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What they'll learn

  • Real, messy data end to end Take an actual dataset from raw mess to finished result, the whole pipeline.
  • Features and model choice Build useful features and choose the right model for the problem.
  • Honest evaluation Evaluate rigorously and document limits with proper model cards.
  • Ethics and the EU AI Act Apply real AI ethics and the EU AI Act to the work, not just in theory.
Final project

A full data-science project on a real dataset, documented with a professional model card.

The 13-week journey

  1. Sprint 1 — The data pipeline

    Messy real data: cleaning, missing values, leakage; exploratory analysis and visualisation; framing a question a model can answer. Ends with a cleaned dataset and a clear question.

  2. Sprint 2 — Modelling well

    Feature engineering, model selection, cross-validation, and choosing metrics that fit the problem; comparing models honestly. Ends with a tuned, defensible model.

  3. Sprint 3 — Responsible & done

    Bias analysis, the EU AI Act and data-protection basics, and a professional model card; packaging the project for a portfolio. Ethics through real cases.

  4. Week 13 — Showcase

    Project presentations with results, limitations and a portfolio-ready write-up.

What we cover

Every topic, unit by unit — so you know exactly what your child builds and learns.

01

The data pipeline

  • Cleaning messy data, missing values and leakage
  • Exploratory analysis and visualisation
  • Framing a question a model can answer
  • A cleaned dataset and a clear question
02

Modelling well

  • Feature engineering
  • Model selection and cross-validation
  • Choosing metrics that fit the problem
  • Comparing models honestly
03

Responsible & done

  • Bias analysis on real data
  • EU AI Act and data-protection basics
  • Writing a professional model card
  • Packaging for a portfolio
04

Showcase & portfolio

  • Presenting results and limitations
  • A portfolio-ready write-up
  • Project presentations to the audience
What they show off

A real-world data project with its analysis, model and honest evaluation — presented like a junior data scientist.

The data-science track for teens who want depth: real, messy data taken from question to model to honest conclusion — with the evaluation rigour, ethics and documentation a professional brings. The course that turns AI enthusiasm into method.

The hooks

Teen hook: “I took a real dataset from mess to a model I can defend — and I know exactly what it can’t do.” Parent hook: “Genuine data-science skills and ethics — university-level substance, taught by building.”

Who it’s for

16–18s with Python and some ML (AI Studio or Machine Learning Lab + placement). Thrives: the analytical, the rigorous, the future researchers and ML practitioners.

Outcomes — by the end, students can

Clean and explore messy real data; build features and select models; evaluate with appropriate metrics and cross-validation; analyse bias; write a model card; situate work within the EU AI Act and data-protection basics.

Tools & compliance

Python notebooks, pandas/scikit-learn (and a deep-learning taster), real and open datasets, own accounts at 16+; ethics, data-protection and honest-evaluation norms enforced.

Where this course fits

A technical companion to AI Studio; strong preparation for a data-driven Launchpad capstone.

Parent questions

How is this different from AI Studio?

AI Studio spans ML, neural nets and LLM apps; this goes deeper on the data-science craft — messy data, feature work, evaluation and ethics.

Is it useful for university?

Very — a documented data project and honest evaluation are exactly what STEM and CS applications value.

What background is needed?

Python and some ML (AI Studio or Machine Learning Lab, or placement).