Markham College / Inspirit AI 2025
Spring AI Programs

Impact Report

Program Overview

In Spring 2025, Markham College launched its inaugural AI summer program for high schoolers. This two-week initiative introduced students to artificial intelligence fundamentals and guided them to build socially-impactful AI projects. The program combined hands-on coding, ethical discussions, real-world case studies, and coding labs, culminating in a showcase of student-led innovations addressing real world challenges.

AI Scholars for High School Students

Program Highlights

Dates:

February 10-February 20, 2025

Participants:

Participants: 35 students from rising years S2-S6 (split by year level/experience into two classes of ~12 apiece)

Inspirit Faculty:

Kuan-Chuen Wu, Ph.D., M.S. Stanford University, B.A. Harvard University

Imtisaal Mian, B.S. Harvard University

Ian Macleod, B.S. Columbia University

Curriculum Overview:

Python, machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, neural networks, linear/logistic regression, AI+Ethics, positioning research projects in college applications (for high schoolers only), capstone projects unifying coding skill, ethical sensitivity, and research design

Capstone Projects:

Algorithmic Trading (NLP+Finance)

Discovering Habitable Exoplanets (AI+Astronomy)

Pneumonia Detection (AI+Medicine)

Music Recommender Systems (AI+Music)

Outcomes and Impact

100%

of students responding to the final survey reported improved confidence in understanding and applying AI concepts, Python skills, and AI research design.

100%

of students successfully built an AI model to answer a specific research question.

80%

of students expressed a desire to pursue further AI or computer science education.

Student Feedback

“This experience was enriching. Before the course, I was totally unfamiliar with how AI works and its uses besides chatbots. In the course, I got to have a greater conceptual understanding of artificial intelligence and get a grasp of its multifunctional nature. Moreover, I learned to work with Python on a superficial level.”

“I liked the combination of theory and practical implementation of it. I truly believe in learning through doing and the Inspirit AI course embodies that notion exceptionally. As a bonus comment, another thing I liked is that my instructor was really capacitated for the job and really promoted understanding within the cohort.”

“I liked how the tutors listened and helped us resolve any doubts and difficulties during the activities. I also liked how we collaborated with our peers to make our project.”

“It was a great experience because it shows you a variety of things about AI and also it provides more knowledge about everything.”

“I liked the independence they gave us in the project and also when we all worked together on the notebooks. Also the mentors were very nice and you could always ask them anything.”

“Inspirit's AI Scholars program was challenging, enjoyable, and went into far more depth than I expected. After the two weeks, a total of only eight days of classes, I returned home with a lot more knowledge of AI and Python skills to navigate my future, which I enjoyed learning and presenting about.”

“AI Scholars was a pleasing experience in every sense. In this program I got to develop new useful skills, meet extraordinary people and understand AI in a more profound way than ever before. The instructors, the lectures and the college admission advise were some of the most remarkable parts of the course.”

Community and Culture

The programs fostered a culture of interdisciplinary collaboration: students from coding, humanities, and design backgrounds worked in teams on both mini-projects and the capstone project endeavor.

Instructor spotlight talks featured current faculty’s applied AI research in both laboratory and industry settings.

Students developed a strong sense of purpose-driven learning, anchoring technical knowledge in social good, and walked away with a set of ethical precepts to guide further research they may undertake in AI/ML.

Looking Ahead

→ Based on overwhelmingly positive feedback, Markham College will be offering programs to high schoolers in spring 2026, offering a more advanced Deep Dives program for returning students, as well as new curriculum and projects for new students that reflect the latest advances in AI/ML and that address current social challenges.

→ Alumni of the program will be invited to deepen their AI/ML exposure and build new projects with Inspirit’s team to facilitate their growth in the field.

→ Give students more time to complete an optional but recommended pre-program Python crash course (especially for novice coders)

→ Improve financial aid to expand opportunities for underserved students