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The AI Research Lab · Ages 8–11

AI for elementary & middle school (ages 8–11)

6 chapters and 60 levels of comic missions with Pixel, each ending in a hands-on CROODI Lab. Parent-managed, safe AI learning with no open chat for kids.

Play a free mission Start your family account
  • Join the AI Club and train Pixel, its practice robot, step by step
  • Examples from school, games, sport, pets and family life
  • A CROODI Lab in every level: build and test a tiny AI model by hand
  • Stars, XP and sidekick upgrades that bring them back

The full course

Every chapter and level for ages 8–11, and the question each one answers.

Chapter 1 · earns the Trainer rank

What Is AI?

  1. L1What Counts as AI?What is AI, really?
  2. L2The AI HuntWhere is AI hiding in my day?
  3. L3Rules vs LearningHow is AI different from a normal program?
  4. L4How AI SensesHow does AI take in the world?
  5. L5AI Eats DataWhat does AI learn from?
  6. L6Algorithms Are RecipesWhat is an algorithm?
  7. L7Twenty Questions: Decision TreesHow can AI decide with questions?
  8. L8Finding the Best PathHow do map apps and game AI pick a route?
  9. L9Smart, Narrow, Not HumanDoes AI think like me, and can it do everything?
  10. L10My AI Rules CardHow should I use AI?

Chapter 2 · earns the Builder rank

How AI Learns

  1. L1Learning from ExamplesHow does AI learn?
  2. L2Labels MatterWho tells the AI what's what?
  3. L3Features Are CluesWhat does the AI pay attention to?
  4. L4Train, Then TestHow do we know it really learned?
  5. L5Memorise vs LearnDid the AI really learn?
  6. L6Inside a Neural NetworkWhat is a neural network?
  7. L7Learning from MistakesHow does a network improve?
  8. L8Finding Groups Without LabelsCan AI learn without labels?
  9. L9Rewards and GamesCan AI learn by playing?
  10. L10Fix the Data, Graduate PixelCan you train Pixel fairly?

Chapter 3 · earns the Word Wizard rank

How Chatbots and Generative AI Work

  1. L1Meet the ChatbotWhat is a chatbot?
  2. L2The Next-Word MachineHow does it decide what to say?
  3. L3Words as NumbersHow does AI work with words?
  4. L4Trained on a Huge LibraryWhere does it learn language?
  5. L5Learning to Be HelpfulWhy is it polite and why does it say no?
  6. L6Memory, Context and Looking Things UpWhat does a chatbot remember, and can it look things up?
  7. L7When AI Makes Things UpCan I trust every answer?
  8. L8Generators: Art, Music, VideoHow does AI make pictures?
  9. L9AI That Sees, Hears and SpeaksHow can one AI use pictures and voice?
  10. L10AI Agents: Plans and ApprovalsCan AI take actions for me?

Chapter 4 · earns the Prompt Pro rank

Prompts: Talking to AI Well

  1. L1Prompts Are InstructionsWhat is a prompt?
  2. L2Be SpecificWhy do vague prompts fail?
  3. L3The Prompt RecipeWhat goes into a great prompt?
  4. L4Examples HelpWhy show an example?
  5. L5Improve and RepeatWhat if the first answer isn't good?
  6. L6Break Big Tasks into StepsHow do I get help with a big task?
  7. L7AI as a Study BuddyHow do I use AI without cheating?
  8. L8Creative PromptsCan AI help me create?
  9. L9Tricked by Hidden InstructionsCan someone trick an AI?
  10. L10Prompt Master ChallengeCan you write and improve a prompt?

Chapter 5 · earns the Guardian rank

Smart and Safe with AI

  1. L1Private Means PrivateWhat info should never go into AI apps?
  2. L2Real or AI-Made?How do I spot AI images and videos?
  3. L3Voice Clones and ScamsHow do AI scams work?
  4. L4AI CompanionsIs a friendly chatbot a real friend?
  5. L5Stop, Think, CheckHow do I check if something is true?
  6. L6The Feed Knows YouWhy do apps show me certain videos?
  7. L7Your Data TrailWhat do apps collect about me?
  8. L8Homework HonestyIs using AI for homework cheating?
  9. L9Don't Let AI Think for YouCan using AI too much hurt my brain?
  10. L10Family AI AgreementWhat are our family's AI rules?

Chapter 6 · earns the AI Pro rank

AI and Our World

  1. L1AI for GoodHow is AI helping the world?
  2. L2Is It Fair?How can AI be unfair, and how do we fix it?
  3. L3Jobs of the FutureWill AI take people's jobs?
  4. L4AI and the PlanetIs AI good or bad for the planet?
  5. L5Who Owns AI Art?Is AI art fair to artists?
  6. L6Rules for AIWho makes the rules?
  7. L7Humans in ChargeShould AI make big decisions?
  8. L8Keeping AI SafeHow do builders keep AI safe?
  9. L9Hopes and WorriesWhat's next for AI?
  10. L10My AI ProjectCan I design AI that helps?

How every level works

Three comic missions, then they build it for real.

Each level answers one big question, like “How does AI see a picture?” Every mission ends with a quick game and a Boss quiz worth up to three stars.

  1. 1

    Mission 1

    Discover

    Meet the idea in a comic. Your child makes the call on every page.

  2. 2

    Mission 2

    Use

    Spot the same idea at school, at home and in the apps they already use.

  3. 3

    Mission 3

    Fix

    The sidekick gets it wrong. Your child works out why and fixes it.

  4. 4

    Level finale

    CROODI Lab

    Build and test a tiny AI model by hand. The sidekick earns a new part.

🎮 Quick game⭐ Boss quiz: up to 3 stars⚡ XP for every star📘 One new AI word per page

Start Chapter 1 with Pixel.

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