MIT FutureBuilders Program

An immersive program designed specifically for high school students, with a special emphasis on rising juniors and seniors. If you envision your students as future leaders, eager to make a positive impact on the world, then this program is tailor-made for them

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Learning Journey

Program Overview:

MIT FutureBuilders provides students with the opportunity to collaborate with peers, and solve real-world challenges using cutting-edge technology, while having fun along the way. Through this immersive experience, students will:

Learn to design and build mobile apps using AppInventor, generative AI, data science, and IoT.
Apply the Innovation Leadership Toolkit, a systematic approach to entrepreneurial exploration developed by MIT Bootcamps.
Demonstrate their learning through regular deliverables and a capstone project known as the Innovation Demo.

Program Format:

Week 1 (online): the program immerses students in hands-on coding sessions and interactive workshops focused on AI and machine learning. The format includes practical exercises, coding challenges, and collaborative projects aimed at building technical expertise and problem-solving skills in AI.
Week 2 (on-site): the program continues its immersive learning experience with a focus on entrepreneurship and innovation within the context of AI. Students engage in mentorship sessions, practical exercises, and simulations to refine their AI-powered business ideas and prepare for a pitch competition. The format includes coding labs, pitch practice sessions, and networking opportunities to connect with industry professionals.

Guided Learning Experience:

Students will work in teams, guided by dedicated MIT FutureBuilders mentors and instructors, including experts from MIT and invited practitioners. Our goal is to nurture confidence in students' potential as innovators and introduce them to the exciting worlds of AI, data science, IoT, and app development.

Why MIT FutureBuilders?

No technical prerequisites required; only a desire to learn, explore, create, and innovate.
A risk-free environment for students to apply new knowledge and skills in a collaborative and enjoyable setting.

Pre-Program Challenge

Before embarking on the two-week immersion journey, students undergo a pre-program challenge designed to prepare them for the learning process and introduce them to the AppInventor building environment, which will be utilized throughout the program. All pre-program learning materials will be conveniently accessible via the program's online platform.

Additionally, the teaching team will organize a virtual town hall meeting to address both technical and non-technical questions prior to the program's commencement. Participation in this town hall is mandatory, ensuring everyone is well-equipped for the upcoming adventure.

Course Structure

The program spans over two weeks and follows a blended learning format. Each day is dedicated to a specific learning module, with an expected commitment of 7 hours per module, totaling 70 hours for the entire program.

Key Features:

All sessions longer than 1 hour will include a 5-minute break for refreshment and rejuvenation.
The first week of the program will be conducted entirely online, fostering flexibility and accessibility.
Transitioning into the second week, the program will shift to an on-site format, allowing for hands-on engagement and interaction.
The program is structured into two distinct phases:

Learning Sprint: The initial six modules focus on intensive learning and skill-building, as participants delve into technical concepts while identifying socially meaningful challenges. Through collaboration with stakeholders, participants will craft innovative solutions tailored to real-world needs.
Design Jams and Capstone Project: The final four modules entail design jams and pitch practice sessions, culminating in the delivery of a capstone project. Participants will present their innovation demos in a pitch-style competition, showcasing their newly acquired skills and solutions to an expert panel of judges.

Certificate of completion

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology will offer a certificate of completion to students who have satisfactorily demonstrated participation and completion of the learning program and/or mastery of the learning program material. We expect learners to successfully work with their team (meet the expected contribution as agreed upon) throughout the program and to participate in the final demo preparation and pitch. Certificates will be issued by and under the name of MIT Bootcamps.

CEO of the Week

Each module will be led by a different team member who will act as the CEO of that day. The role of the CEO is to lead the team for that module by setting the working agenda and making sure team members complete their assigned work. The CEO for the Module is ultimately responsible for turning in the team assignments on time. In Module 1, students will decide who the CEO is for each Module, including the first one.