How schoolchildren and students get into IT for free

1. "Code of the Future" for high school and college students

These are free courses for students in grades 8-11 and students who receive secondary vocational education. Here, children are introduced to popular programming languages: Python, Java, C++, C#, 1C, Lua, SQL, JavaScript and others. Each course consists of four modules. Each one has at least 36 academic hours.

Lessons are usually held twice a week in schools, universities and institutions of additional education. You can also choose an online format, if it is more convenient. The program is designed in such a way that students can comfortably combine it with school, college and other activities. The courses include not only the theory of the syntax and structure of programming languages, but also the implementation of practical tasks - for example, the joint development of applications, games, chatbots and websites.

You do not need to be an excellent student or winner of the Olympiads, but you will have to pass an entrance test to be enrolled. The catalog contains courses for both beginners and for schoolchildren or students with basic and advanced levels of programming. Training takes place on the basis of leading universities, educational platforms and IT companies of the country: Yandex, 1C, Teach. Doma, International Economic Relations, Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Innopolis University, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and others. At the end of the course, a certificate is issued for all four modules.

2. Online courses on artificial intelligence for schoolchildren

Online school Sirius. Courses "there are two free programs:"Introduction to artificial intelligence" And "Introduction to Machine Learning». Students in grades 7-11 are accepted here.

The first course is introductory. It will help you immerse yourself in the topic: what is artificial intelligence, where did it come from and how does it work with things we are used to, like streaming services and social networks. The lecturers are employees of large technology companies that are developing in the field of AI, such as Gazprom Neft, Medsi, Biocad, Tinkoff Education, Sber AI. You can study at a convenient time - the modules are available on the Sirius. Courses”, and assignments for lectures are checked automatically. If you need to talk to the teacher, then under each video or exercise there is a “Questions and Answers” ​​button. By the way, new modules regularly appear in this course with the participation of experts from different industries.

The second course is more difficult, so Python programming skills and knowledge of mathematics will not be superfluous. Here, students learn the principles of creating algorithms that underlie voice assistants, chatbots, and recommender systems, and also try to write such algorithms themselves. Classes are held according to the same principle as in the introductory course: you can watch lectures, solve problems and communicate with teachers through the feedback form. Those who successfully complete all modules will receive certificates.

You can apply for both courses at page "Sirius Navigator for Artificial Intelligence".

3. Digital Chairs for Students

This project was launched last year. Now students of universities where digital departments are open, in addition to their main specialty, can receive an additional IT qualification for free. Both future IT specialists and those whose areas of training are far from technology are invited to study: lawyers, financiers, managers, journalists and other specialists. Enrollment will be possible from the second year of the bachelor's degree or the third year of the specialist's degree. If you are studying for a master's program in a non-IT profile, you can apply already in the first year.

Classes are taught by expert practitioners. During the training, students undergo internships in real companies, and at the end they receive a state-recognized diploma on professional retraining.

The project works in most universities that participate in the program "Priority 2030or planning to join. This academic year, more than 800 training programs have been developed in 119 universities. Among the popular ones are data analysis, web development, machine learning, project management. By the way, it is not always necessary to pass entrance examinations, sometimes it is enough to open the website of your university and find the “Digital Departments” section. There will be a link to the application form and timeline information.

Bonus: AI hackathons for everyone

They are part of a big projectDigital breakthrough. Season "Artificial Intelligence"». Hackathons are free competitions for those who already feel confident in the topic. Development teams gather on the site or in an online format and in a short time solve some problem from the business in the field of artificial intelligence.

The beauty of the project is that the age of the participants is not important. High school students, students, and specialists are invited to compete, moreover, with different levels of knowledge. The best ones receive prizes, trips around Russia and certificates for educational courses. And for those who are already working, there is also the opportunity to highlight their resume: more than 40 IT companies are partners in the project.

The first hackathons in Moscow and Yekaterinburg have already taken place, but eight more will take place in 2023: district hackathons in Novosibirsk, Petersburg, Vladivostok, Sochi, Perm and Stavropol, as well as the All-Russian Hackathon in Nizhny Novgorod and the International in Moscow. This is a good opportunity not only to test your own knowledge, but also to exchange experiences with like-minded people and get feedback from professionals. Submit application available on the project website.