Black Boys Code Montréal - Building with Artificial Intelligence
Schedule
Sat Mar 28 2026 at 11:00 am to 03:00 pm
UTC-04:00Location
Concordia University | Montreal, QC
About this Event
Workshop Overview
Our Black Boys Code March Workshop in Montreal will be delivered in both French and English, creating a fully bilingual learning environment that ensures accessibility and inclusion. Cet atelier sera offert en français et en anglais afin de permettre à tous les participants d’apprendre et de créer dans la langue de leur choix.
This March workshop moves students from learning about Artificial Intelligence to actively building with it. In the Beginner Track, students turn their emotion-recognition AI models into interactive Scratch games where facial expressions control gameplay. In the Advanced Track, students bring chatbot ideas to life using Python, building programs that can listen, think, and respond in real conversations.
This workshop is FREE, and all learning materials are provided, students simply need to bring their curiosity and readiness to build.
Beginner Track - AI & Game Development
This is where creativity meets code. Students combine their trained AI emotion models with Scratch programming to build their first interactive, AI-powered game. Using a visual, block-based coding environment, learners create a “Smile to Jump” game where facial expressions control gameplay, smiling makes the character jump!
The session follows a complete-build approach, ensuring every student leaves with a fully playable game built from start to finish.
Key Activities
- Recap of the AI journey (Training → Game Building)
- Introduction to the Scratch platform
- Creating Scratch accounts
- Learning core Scratch blocks (motion, looks, events)
- Importing Teachable Machine models into Scratch (TM2Scratch extension)
- Coding sprite movement controlled by emotions
- Focused build time
- Testing and playing completed games
Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- Navigate the Scratch programming environment confidently
- Understand block-based coding logic
- Connect an AI model to Scratch using extensions
- Create a functional emotion-controlled game
- Debug simple coding challenges
Materials Needed
Black Boys Code will provide guidance and structured support throughout the session.
- Laptop with internet access
- Scratch account (created during session)
- Access to trained AI models from February
- TM2Scratch extension guide
Deliverables
- Completed “Smile to Jump” AI game
- Saved Scratch project link
Advanced Track - Chatbots & Python Programming
Students translate their chatbot blueprints into real, working programs using Python. Through hands-on coding in Replit, learners build conversational chatbots that can listen to user input, process it, and respond intelligently.
The workshop introduces essential Python concepts including variables, input/output, conditionals (if, elif, else), and loops. By the end of the session, every student will have a chatbot capable of handling multiple conversation topics.
Key Activities
- Review of Python fundamentals (print, input, variables, conditionals)
- Understanding conversational input/output flow
- Setting up the Replit coding environment
- Building chatbot structure (welcome message, conversation loop, responses)
- Implementing if/elif/else logic
- Adding 3+ conversation topics
- Creating exit conditions
- Testing and debugging code
- Saving final projects
Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- Write functional Python input and output code
- Apply conditional logic effectively
- Use loops for continuous conversations
- Implement basic pattern matching
- Debug syntax and logical errors
- Build a working conversational chatbot
Materials Needed
Black Boys Code will provide guidance and structured support throughout the session.
- Laptop with internet access
- Replit account (free tier)
- Python starter templates
- Chatbot blueprints from February
- Debugging checklist and code comment examples
Deliverables
- Fully working Python chatbot (3+ conversation topics)
- Replit project link
- Commented Python code
- Test conversation screenshots
If you’re unsure who your Chapter Leader is, please contact [email protected] to get connected and learn how you can support your local team.
Register Now, Space Is Limited!
Where is it happening?
Concordia University, 1455 Boulevard De Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal, CanadaEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
CAD 0.00
