Orange County Department of Education — Stefan Bean, Ed.D., County Superintendent of Schools
OC Student AI Network // Welcome

Build with AI.
Find your people.

Middle and high schoolers across Orange County who are actually making things with AI. No homework, no busywork — just a room of people who take what you're building seriously. Applications are open now.

What this is
// a network, not a class

The OC Student AI Network connects middle and high schoolers from across Orange County who are actually doing things with AI — building tools, automating their lives, making art, solving real problems. You come as you are, share what you're working on, and learn from people your age who are just as curious.

You should get way more out of this than we do. Access, ideas, people, and a place where your work is taken seriously.

What to expect

A place to talk to each other

You're in this district, someone else is in that one — here's what you're working on, here's what you're stuck on. That connection is the whole point.

Learn from real peers

Not a lecture. Students demo what they've actually built in five minutes, and you walk away with ideas you can steal and adapt.

Access to people

Guest speakers, mentors, and alumni who've been where you are. The connections outside your school are the ones that pay off in a year or two.

Your voice, elevated

Chances to represent student perspective in your district and across the county. You're a leader here, and people will treat you like one.

When we meet
WED
every week
6–7
pm pacific
NOV 6
the convening
ZOOM
then irl
// run of show
6:00

Open + connect

Quick hellos, who's here, what's new across districts.

6:10

Student shares

A few students give a five-minute look at what they're building, then take questions. Breakouts keep it small and real.

6:40

Guest or challenge

Sometimes a speaker worth meeting, sometimes a short hands-on build we tackle together.

6:55

Wrap + what's next

Opportunities on the horizon. Say yes to what fits — there's always more coming.

Applications open

Want in?

If you're building something with AI — or you want to be — fill out the form. You don't have to be an expert. You have to be curious.

Apply to join
Takes about 5 minutes · Free · Middle + high school
The 5-minute share

01 — What you built

One sentence. "I made an AI assistant that texts me when I need to leave for practice."

02 — Why

The problem or itch behind it. Real beats impressive.

03 — Show it

Quick demo, screen share, screenshots. Rough is fine.

04 — Ask

Open the floor. "What would you do next?" Questions are how the room helps you.

House rules

Share, don't perform

Half-finished and honest beats polished and vague.

Questions, not critiques

We ask to understand and help — curious, never tearing down.

Steal generously, credit freely

See a good idea? Take it, build on it, say where it came from.

Saying no is fine

There will always be another opportunity. Protect your time.

Everyone's a leader here

You represent your school and district. Show up as someone others learn from.

Come share what you're working on. Bring your questions. The rest takes care of itself.

Ready when you are

Take the first step

One short form. We'll get back to you with the details for the first meeting on August 19.

Apply to join
Takes about 5 minutes · Free · Middle + high school