From exploring tools like ChatGPT and Canva’s AI features, to diving into big-picture questions about ethics, copyright, and the future of work, this course equips students with the knowledge they need to be thoughtful users and potential creators of AI.

They’ll also gain practical experience with real AI-powered tools, evaluate where AI can (and shouldn’t) be used, and reflect on how these technologies may affect their own education, careers, and daily lives.

What students will gain:

• A foundational understanding of how AI and machine learning work

• Hands-on experience with a variety of popular AI tools

• Insight into real-world applications of AI

• Awareness of ethical concerns such as bias, hallucinations, environmental impact, and copyright

• The ability to make informed, responsible choices when using AI

Read a review from a previous student here.

Instructor: Meryl van der Merwe (ex-programmer) – meryl@fundafunda.com

Grades: Suitable for grades 7 -12

Hours: 3-4 hours each week

Credit Hours: 0.5 High School Credit

Syllabus:  Available here

Fall Dates: August 17 – Dec 11 (with a week’s break over Thanksgiving)

Spring Dates: January 4 – April 30  (any week in March can be taken for Spring break)

View One Module Here

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What is the contest about?

The task will be to create an interactive Christmas scene using Scratch. Scratch is a free online drag-and-drop programming language that makes it very easy to code. All the instructions will be provided in the online classroom students will access after registering.

Students new to coding will be able to watch video tutorials to help them get started learning to code in Scratch. It really is VERY easy.

How will you judge if some students already know how to code and others don’t?

Students will be divided into 2 groups – those new to programming in Scratch and those with some experience. They will not be competing against each other. The age of the student will also be taken into account when we judge. If you have never coded before there are instructions provided

Prizes

First place in each division (new programmer/those with some experience) is a $20 Amazon gift card. A runner-up in each division will receive a $10 Amazon gift card.

All students will receive a $10 coupon to use on any of our programming classes.

The final project submission due date for the 2025 contest is December 23rd, 2025.

Winner of the 2018 Contest is Jackson P

Winner of the 2019 Contest is Isabelle N

Winner of the 2024 Contest is Dominic B

The post Scratch Christmas Coding Contest appeared first on FundaFunda Academy.

How does the class work?

Each week students will watch 3 videos that require them to practice as they learn. They will also have to complete a programming assignment -usually a game. If students need additional assistance it will be provided via email or video conference call.

This is a completely self-paced programming class. Start when you want to and take as long as you want.

We also offer a full semester class which comprises the Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced classes plus a final assignment. The full-semester class is not self-paced and has weekly deadlines. The assignments are the same whether they are done in the 5-week classes or the full semester.

Taking all 3 classes constitutes a 1/2 credit in programming for high school (as does the full semester class).

View One Module Here

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Our online python programming class assumes students have no prior coding knowledge. Python is one of the easiest programming languages for beginners to learn. However, I would suggest students first complete our Scratch course or have had some programming experience before taking this. Motivated high schoolers who are good at logic should be capable of the work without prior experience, though.

The class includes video instruction, exercises, quizzes, and small programs to write. Students can work whatever time of the day suits them, but they do need to meet deadlines. By the end of this course, students will be familiar with loops, conditionals, lists, tuples, dictionaries, manipulating strings, functions, classes, and some beginning graphics.

Students will need to download Python onto a laptop or desktop (either Mac or Windows).

This is a 16-week course, 1 semester online Python programming class.

Instructor: Meryl van der Merwe (ex-programmer) – meryl@fundafunda.com

Grades: Suitable for grades 7 -12

Hours: 3-4 hours each week

Credit Hours: 0.5 High School Credit

Syllabus: Available here

Fall Dates: August 17 – Dec 11 (with a week’s break over Thanksgiving)

Spring Dates: January 4 – April 30  (any week in March can be taken for Spring break)

View One Module Here

The post Python Programming 2026 appeared first on FundaFunda Academy.

Each week students learn to program a different game. They start with simple games but progress to games like Hangman, Flappy Bird imitations, and platform games.

Instructor: Meryl van der Merwe (ex-programmer) – meryl@fundafunda.com

Grades: Suitable for grades 5 – 12

Hours: 3 -4 per week

Credit Hours: 0.50 High School Credit. Combine with another of our 16-week computer courses for a full credit in Computer Programming.

Fall Dates: August 17 – Dec 11 (with a week’s break over Thanksgiving)

Spring Dates: January 4 – April 30  (any week in March can be taken for Spring break)

View One Module Here

Examples of student projects

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