Program structure
How Kanam Academy Works
Structured learning. Human guidance. Measurable progress. Students learn what AI is and how to evaluate it—without relying on prompt shortcuts.
Program Format
Kanam Academy Foundations is designed for learners ages 12–15 who benefit from clear structure and consistent milestones. The program combines live, human-led instruction with guided independent practice so students build real programming skill — not just exposure.
Students meet twice per week for structured instruction. Each session builds directly on the previous one, progressing from foundational Python concepts to a complete capstone project.
- Duration
- 8 weeks
- Sessions
- 2 per week
- Session length
- 2 hours
- Total instruction
- 32 hours
- Format
- Live, human-led (Zoom)
The Learning Process
- 01
Join
Families enroll in a cohort and receive a simple onboarding checklist, setup guidance, and a clear schedule so learners begin confidently.
Outcome: Clear setup and structured start
- 02
Build
Students attend live sessions, complete guided practice, and finish each week with a concrete build that reinforces the concept introduced.
Outcome: Weekly project milestone
- 03
Grow
Learners refine projects, debug with support, and practice explaining their logic. The program culminates in a capstone showcase.
Outcome: Capstone project + explanation skills
What a Typical Week Looks Like
Session 1 (2 Hours)
- Introduction of new programming concept
- Guided examples and instructor modeling
- Structured practice exercises
- Live feedback and clarification
Between Sessions
- Guided reinforcement tasks
- Project progress work
- Reflection and review prompts
Session 2 (2 Hours)
- Concept reinforcement and deeper application
- Build time with instructor support
- Debugging and refinement
- Completion of weekly milestone
This structure ensures steady progress without overwhelming students.
Live Instruction Model
All sessions are taught live by experienced instructors.
- Real-time explanation of code
- Interactive question opportunities
- Immediate clarification when stuck
- Clear checkpoints during lessons
- Beginner-friendly pace designed for measurable growth
Practice & Projects
Between sessions, students complete guided exercises and build small projects that reinforce new skills.
- Input-driven programs
- Branching logic applications
- Loop-based automation
- Data tracking with lists
- Structured rule-based helper systems
Each build prepares students for the final capstone.
Capstone Showcase
In the final week, students design and build an independent project integrating all core programming constructs.
Capstone requirements
- Variables
- Conditional logic
- Loops
- Lists
- User input
- Clear program structure
Students present their work and explain how their code functions, demonstrating true comprehension — not memorization.
Support Structure
How students are supported
- Live instructor guidance
- Structured checkpoints
- Debugging assistance
- Clear pacing and expectations
- Cohort-based learning
Learning integrity
We do not teach by having students generate answers from AI prompts. Students build genuine programming foundations first, then learn how to analyze AI output, question reliability, and explain their own work independently.
Standards & Outcomes
Kanam Academy Foundations is designed in alignment with CSTA Computer Science Standards (Grade Band 3A, Grades 6–8).
Students finish with
- Weekly build artifacts they can demonstrate
- A rules-based helper program (automation logic)
- A completed capstone project
- The ability to explain how their code works
Frequently Asked Questions
Do students need prior experience?
No prior coding experience is required.
Is this self-paced?
The program follows a structured cohort schedule with guided practice between sessions.
What technology is required?
Students attend live Zoom sessions and use a Python development environment.
What happens if a student struggles?
Instructors provide clarification, structured review, and debugging guidance.