AI Project Lab Level 3

Course Overview

AI Project Lab Level 3 is where students become full-stack product builders. They go beyond the frontend to create complete applications with real users, real data, and real infrastructure. Products at this level solve actual problems — with databases, user accounts, and cloud deployment. Each season produces a significantly more capable product for the portfolio.

What You’ll Accomplish

• Build Complete Products — Create applications with both frontend and backend
• Handle Real Data — Design databases, build APIs, and manage user data
• Secure Your Products — Implement user authentication and security best practices
• Deploy to Production — Ship full-stack products to the cloud
• Level Up Your Portfolio — Demonstrate full-stack capability to future opportunities

Course Structure

Each 10-week season follows a two-phase project cycle:

Phase 1: Mini Project (Weeks 1-4)

A backend-focused challenge to learn the full stack:

• Build a server, connect a database, and create an API
• Ship a working full-stack mini product

Phase 2: Main Project (Weeks 5-10)

A complete product that solves a real problem:

• Design the full architecture — frontend, backend, database
• Implement user accounts and data management
• Deploy a production-ready application
• Demo Day — Present your full-stack product

What You’ll Deliver

Each season, students produce:

• A deployed full-stack product with database and authentication
• Code repository on GitHub
• Product evaluation and architecture review
• Progress report for parents

Tools & Technologies

• VS Code with extensions
• Claude Code (AI development partner)
• Node.js & Express
• PostgreSQL / SQLite
• Git & GitHub
• Postman (API testing)
• Railway / Render (deployment)

Laptop Requirements

• RAM: 16GB minimum
• Processor: Intel 12th Gen or newer, AMD Ryzen 5000 or newer, Apple M1 or newer
• Storage: 256GB SSD minimum (512GB recommended)
• Display: 1080p, 13” or larger
• OS: Windows 10/11, macOS 11+, or Linux

Chromebooks and tablets are not supported. Laptops older than 2020 are not recommended.

Prerequisites

• Age: Grades 7-12 (ages 12-18)
• Required: AI Project Lab Level 2
• Skills: Strong JavaScript, HTML/CSS, and API consumption experience