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AIRES Junior
Program Overview
A 2-week residential program at Yale University and UC Berkeley for curious middle and early high school students who want to explore AI, build real projects, and discover their interests. No coding experience required.
Join a global community of young innovators as you learn AI fundamentals, apply design thinking, and create solutions to shape the future of our cities!
Locations & Dates:
- Yale University: June 21 – July 3
- UC Berkeley: July 12 – July 24
Duration:
- 2 weeks
Tuition
- $5,950
Tuition includes instruction, housing, meals, program materials, mentorship, and all on-campus activities.
Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until spots are filled. We encourage you to apply early to maximize your chances of securing a spot at your first-choice campus.
Format: Residential, hands-on, project-based
Theme: Designing the Cities of Tomorrow
Final Showcase: a solution supported by a comprehensive literature review, technical demos, visual storytelling, and a clear impact narrative for pitching.
Program At A Glance
Who It's For
What Students Gain
- Confidence using today's most accessible AI tools
- Beginner-friendly understanding of machine learning, LLMs, and computer vision
- Hands-on experience in design thinking
- A portfolio-ready project, supported by comprehensive research literature review that addresses a real urban challenge
Curriculum
Global Design Challenge
Students will apply AI, creativity, and design thinking to propose solutions to this guiding question.
What Makes Us Different?
Foundations First
Students begin with an engaging introduction to core AI concepts.- Machine learning | Deep learning | Large language models LLMs | Computer vision
- Vibe Coding | Teachable Machine | Google Colab | Runway ML
Interdisciplinary Exploration
- Sustainability and climate action
- Urban design and transportation
- Biotechnology and health
- Robotics and automation
- Creative media and storytelling
- Business, entrepreneurship, and policy
Design Thinking at the Center
Students follow a human-centered design process to ensure solutions are imaginative, purposeful, and grounded in real-world needs.
Empathize → Define → Ideate → Prototype → Test
Ethical & Responsible Innovation
Project CoLab:
“Designing The Cities of Tomorrow”
How It Works
Empathize & Define
Explore challenges related to mobility, waste management, green spaces, public safety, and inclusivity.
Ideate
Brainstorm imaginative solutions informed by AI tools and user needs.
Prototype
Build early models, demos, simulations, or visual mock-ups using accessible platforms.
Test & Refine
Gather feedback, improve clarity and usability, and align the solution with ethical considerations.
Showcase
Outcomes: What Students Take Home
By the end of the program, students will have:
AI Confidence
A beginner's understanding of machine learning, LLMs, computer vision, and generative AI.
A Portfolio-Ready Project
A documented design-thinking journey and prototype addressing a real urban challenge.
Interdisciplinary Awareness
Insight into how AI touches fields from sustainability to health, robotics, media, and policy.
Transferable Skills
Collaboration, critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and creative storytelling.
Future Pathways
Guidance on next steps: AI learning, advanced courses, competitions, and potential pathways into the full AIRES program.
AIRES Junior Sample Day Schedule
Morning: AI Foundations × Research Thinking
8:00 – 9:00 AM | Breakfast & Morning Check-In
- Start the day with structure, energy, and community
9:00 – 10:15 AM | Core AI Session
- Build foundational knowledge in AI (machine learning, computer vision, etc.)
- Learn through real-world applications and guided exploration
- Beginner-friendly, with a clear and structured learning path
10:15 – 10:30 AM | Break
10:30 – 11:30 AM | Research Foundations Seminar (Program Highlight)
- Learn how to ask meaningful, high-quality questions
- Understand what defines a true “research problem”
- Introduction to data, evidence, and analytical thinking
- Explore ethics and responsible AI in an age-appropriate way
👉 A critical step from learning content → developing independent thinking
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM | Applied Lab
- Translate concepts into mini experiments and observations
- Reinforce learning through hands-on application
Midday: Recharge & Community
12:15 – 1:15 PM | Lunch
1:15 – 2:00 PM | Rest / Free Time
👉 Maintain balance, focus, and peer connection
Afternoon: Project-Based Learning × Outcomes
2:00 – 3:30 PM | Design Challenge / Project Work
- Work on real-world topics (Theme: Future Smart City, AI for Good)
- Integrate AI skills with research thinking and creativity
- Focus on building tangible, presentable outcomes
👉 Develop projects that can stand out in future applications
3:30 – 3:45 PM | Break
3:45 – 5:00 PM | Workshops / Mentorship
- UX design, storytelling, and entrepreneurship fundamentals
- Small-group mentoring and personalized feedback
👉 Strengthen communication, clarity, and project depth
Evening: Community × Reflection
5:30 – 6:30 PM | Dinner
6:30 – 7:30 PM | Community Activities
- Social events, games, and outdoor activities
👉 Build confidence, collaboration, and leadership
7:30 – 8:30 PM | Light Research & Reflection
- Maintain a daily research journal
- Team discussions: “What did we discover today?”
- Prepare and refine final presentations
👉 Build the habit of reflective and iterative learning
Core Program Value
- Not just learning AI, but building a research mindset early
- Not just classroom instruction, but output-driven, project-based learning
- Transition from interest → academic capability at a critical stage
- Develop foundations for future research, competitions, and college applications
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the required components of the application?
- Academic record (highest levels of courses taken)
- Activities & Awards List (academic and/or extracurricular awards and involvement)
- English Proficiency Proof if primary language of instruction is not English (e.g. graded school English assignments)
- OPTIONAL: Students may opt to complete an oral interview instead of submitting English proficiency proof.
Do I need prior coding experience?
No. All workshops are designed for beginners. Students with prior coding experience will also benefit, as the program emphasizes technological applications and product engineering rather than advanced programming.
Is the program safe and supervised?
Yes. Residential staff, mentors, and program directors are present throughout the program.
Will this help with future college applications?
Although it may be a bit early to discuss college applications as middle school students, students benefit greatly from building a real project, engaging with university-level concepts, and exploring academic interests that can inform their future applications.
Do international students need English proficiency?
Only if they are not enrolled in a school where English is the primary language of instruction.