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Summer 2026: Build With AI at League Labs

ericbusboom
Student programming a robot arm with a laptop in the Robot Garage

This summer we're running two projects for students who want to build real things with AI. These aren't tutorials — students will work on substantial projects over the summer, using AI tools the way professional developers and engineers are using them right now.

If you're interested, register on the form and we'll schedule a time to talk about which project is the right fit. Both projects are free, but space is limited.

AI Project Clinic: Build and Ship a Web Application

Students will build a real web application from scratch and deploy it to the internet — something anyone can visit and use. They'll pick a project (their own idea, something for a friend or family member, or one we provide), then use AI tools to plan, build, and ship it.

This is professional-grade software development, not a toy exercise. Students will work through a real software engineering process using Claude and AI-driven software engineering processes, learning to direct AI effectively rather than just accepting whatever it generates. The stack includes GitHub for version control, Docker for packaging, Node, Express, React, and cloud deployment to put the finished product online.

Students will come out of this with:

  • A live web app deployed to a real URL
  • A GitHub portfolio showing their development process
  • Experience with the AI-assisted workflow that professional developers are adopting right now
  • The ability to repeat this process on their own for future projects

Who it's for: Students in grades 8–12 with some programming experience — at least one semester of coursework or equivalent self-study. You don't need to be an expert. You need to be comfortable reading code and willing to learn fast.

Format: Weekly online skill clinics (90-minute Zoom sessions covering tools and techniques) plus build time with mentor check-ins.

Learn More About AI Project Clinic

Robot Garage: AI-Driven Robotics

In the Robot Garage, students will use AI to give physical robots new capabilities — computer vision, path planning, obstacle avoidance, and autonomous behavior. The focus is on using AI as a collaborator to figure out how to solve hard robotics problems, rather than writing every line of code by hand.

Students will encounter real problems requiring creative solutions — the robot doesn't see the obstacle, the path planner gets stuck, the motor response is too slow — and use AI to help them understand why and figure out what to try next. The AI will help, but students will need to employ their own innovative solutions to complete the projects.

Students will finish the summer with:

  • Hands-on experience programming physical robots with AI assistance
  • Working knowledge of computer vision, path planning, and sensor-driven behavior
  • A portfolio of robot capabilities they designed and implemented
  • An understanding of how AI changes the process of solving hard engineering problems

Who it's for: Students in grades 8–12 with some programming experience. Interest in robotics, electronics, or mechanical systems matters more than extensive coding background. You should be comfortable getting your hands dirty.

Format: Weekly in-person sessions at the Robot Garage in San Diego plus online skill clinics on Zoom.

Learn More About AI-Driven Robotics

Get in Touch

I'm always eager to talk to parents about anything related to computer education, so feel free to contact me anytime.