Exact Science
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ProgrammingWeekly course

AI Foundations

Learn how modern AI actually works: the maths and code underneath, then build projects that show judgement, not just prompts.

About this course

A project-based course for ambitious GCSE and A-Level students who want to understand modern AI properly: the maths and coding underneath, not only how to use a chat box.

Over eight weeks you will ship three portfolio pieces: a Verification Notebook, a Subject Study OS, and a Make & Defend artefact. You will build intuition for representations, probability, training vs inference, and simple code labs, then apply that judgement to real tools.

Weekly plan

Follow the course from first principles to finished work

Project

01

Weeks 1–2

Verification Notebook

claims checked against maths, code, or primary sources, then re-explained without the model.
  1. Week01

    What these systems are (and are not)

    Replace magic with a mental model.

    What you'll learn
    tokens, context, hallucination; training vs inference in plain language; live failure clinic on familiar syllabus topics.
    What you'll make
    start your Verification Notebook with five checked claims from maths or science.
    Tools you'll use
    one frontier chat model; pen and paper.
  2. Week02

    Representations, probability, and precise briefs

    Link brief quality to verification.

    What you'll learn
    how inputs become representations; sampling and uncertainty intuition; prompting as problem specification (goals, constraints, examples).
    What you'll make
    Notebook: before/after briefs plus an independent maths or code check.
    Tools you'll use
    chat + simple Python or spreadsheet for tiny probability checks.

Project

02

Weeks 3–5

Subject Study OS

a revision system for one GCSE or A-Level subject, built with clear honesty rules and an explain-back loop.
  1. Week03

    Learning with models, not outsourcing thinking

    AI as coach.

    What you'll learn
    Socratic tutoring patterns; spaced retrieval; mark-scheme aware revision without copying; when a model is a coach vs an answer key.
    What you'll make
    Study OS outline for one subject plus honesty rules.
    Tools you'll use
    chat + notes app; optional short code notebook.
  2. Week04

    Data, sources, and research hygiene

    Every claim needs a trail.

    What you'll learn
    citation hygiene; spotting confident nonsense; reading a short data table or plot before trusting a summary.
    What you'll make
    source-backed mini-brief on a school topic with one checked figure or calculation.
    Tools you'll use
    research-mode tools; primary sources; simple plots in Python or sheets.
  3. Week05

    Writing, critique, and Study OS v1

    Critique over polish.

    What you'll learn
    draft → outline → red-team; keep your voice; turn Study OS into a quiz bank with explain-back.
    What you'll make
    Study OS v1 for one upcoming topic or paper.
    Tools you'll use
    chat + docs.

Project

03

Weeks 6–8

Make & Defend

one shipped artefact (small model experiment, data analysis, researched briefing, or creative piece) plus a viva.
  1. Week06

    Making: code, data, or creative with foundations

    Ship a thin slice.

    What you'll learn
    build a thin working slice; verify outputs with a test, plot, or hand check; choose capstone type.
    What you'll make
    capstone proposal + first working slice.
    Tools you'll use
    Cursor/Copilot-style assistants or a small notebook; optional image tools.
  2. Week07

    Memory, projects, and limits of agents

    Systems with guardrails.

    What you'll learn
    context and memory hygiene; when automation lies; mid-build critique.
    What you'll make
    capstone mid-build + failure-mode notes tied to the underlying model limits.
    Tools you'll use
    Custom GPTs / Claude Projects / notebooks as personal systems.
  3. Week08

    Capstone + integrity clinic

    Defend the work cold.

    What you'll learn
    present; viva on maths/code decisions; exams vs coursework vs life.
    What you'll make
    final Make & Defend artefact.
    Tools you'll use
    portfolio of all three projects.

We'll call or email you back

Mon–Sun, 8am–9pm

Questions?

Get in touch

Ask about this course or anything else. We will help you choose what works best for you.