Artificial intelligence is rapidly shaping how students learn, create, and understand the world—and teachers everywhere are asking the same question: How do I introduce AI in a way that’s safe, hands-on, and engaging for my students?
That’s exactly why the Hour of AI initiative exists—and why BirdBrain Technologies is proud to partner with Code.org and organizations nationwide to bring meaningful, accessible AI learning to all K-12 classrooms.
What Is the Hour of AI?
The Hour of AI is a global initiative by Computer Science Education Week and the Hour of AI that introduces millions of students to artificial intelligence through hands-on exploration. This initiative offers a free catalog of 60+ classroom-ready activities designed to spark curiosity and inspire creative thinking—no prior AI or coding experience needed.
Hour of AI includes:
- 60+ free AI lessons ready to use in your classroom
- Activities from trusted STEM and CS organizations
- Options for all grade bands, subjects, and experience levels
- No prior AI or coding experience required
- Lessons designed for one class period (45-60 minutes)
Learn more by exploring these Hour of AI FAQs
Explore the full Hour of AI Activity Catalog
These activities help introduce advanced concepts like machine learning, data training, prediction, sensors, and ethical decision-making—ensuring students learn how AI works, not just what it produces.
Why AI Learning Matters for Today’s Students
Students encounter AI every day—often without realizing it.
Helping them understand what AI is (and isn’t) builds:
- AI literacy: How systems learn, classify, and make predictions
- Critical thinking: What data is used? Who created it? What bias exists?
- Creativity and problem-solving: How can we design technology responsibly?
- Future readiness: AI touches nearly every career field: medicine, engineering, transportation, agriculture, the arts, and more.
The Hour of AI gives teachers a safe, structured way to bring these conversations—and hands-on explorations—to life.
Introducing BirdBrain’s Hour of AI Activity: Machine Learning Magic
We’re thrilled to share our contribution to the Hour of AI catalog: Machine Learning Magic. Designed by BirdBrain’s Amanda Gray, this interactive lesson has students training a gesture-recognizing machine learning model and explore how AI systems learn from data.
In this one-hour activity, students use micro:bit’s CreateAI tool to collect real movement data, train a machine learning model, and watch it make predictions in real time. This free, browser-based platform makes AI feel tangible as students explore how sensors, data, and algorithms work together.
In this lesson, students will:
- Collect data samples using a micro:bit
- Train a model to recognize four different wand gestures
- Analyze data quality and improve model accuracy
- Use MakeCode to program the wand to respond with different sounds
- Explore real-world applications of gesture recognition and ML
This activity is designed for grades 6-12 with no prior AI experience needed. All you need is a computer with internet access and a version 2 micro:bit with battery pack.
Want to extend the lesson? Students can make their wand interactive by programming it to control a Finch Robot or Hummingbird Project—a perfect bridge to deeper robotics learning.
See the full Machine Learning Magic lesson and resources
Explore the Full Catalog: 60+ Hour of AI Activities
The Hour of AI collection includes options for:
- Elementary, middle, and high school classrooms
- No-device and low-device environments
- ELA, math, science, social studies, and art
- Unplugged and hands-on lessons
- Generative AI, ethics, data literacy, robotics, and more
Browse by grade band, topic, or required technology!
We’re Proud to Participate in The Hour of AI
At BirdBrain Technologies, we believe every student deserves access to engaging, hands-on STEM education. That’s why we’re excited to participate in The Hour of AI—a movement dedicated to bringing meaningful AI learning experiences to classrooms everywhere.
Our mission has always been to make robotics and computer science accessible and equitable for all learners. Through tools like our Finch Robot and Hummingbird Robotics Kit, students don’t just learn about AI—they experience it firsthand by exploring how robots sense their environment, process information, and take action.
Explore BirdBrain’s STEM tools:
