Complete IB School Curriculum: Coding, Robotics & AI/ML

The IB curriculum has always focused on students learning through questions and hands-on exploration rather than just textbooks. Schools are now bringing coding and robotics into their programs earlier, starting from primary years and continuing through diploma level. The idea is straightforward: kids need to build and create with technology, not just use it. What makes IB different is that students aren't just memorizing code-they're figuring out how technology works, experimenting with projects, and thinking about how they can solve real problems in their own communities.

IBPYP 1 (Age 5–6 years)

Domain	Learning Objectives	Key Concepts	Sample Projects
Coding	- Understand sequence and order - Give and follow simple commands - Debug basic sequences	- Sequencing - Commands - Loops (intro)	- Story sequencing - Character movement games - Simple animations
Robotics	- Control screen-free robots - Understand directional movement - Basic problem-solving paths	- Forward/backward - Left/right turns - Step-by-step instructions	- Maze navigation - Treasure hunts - Story-based missions
AI/ML Concepts	- Pattern recognition - Sorting by attributes - Simple predictions	- Patterns - Classification - Commands vs. responses	- Sort animals by features - "Teach" a toy new tricks - Predict next in pattern

IBPYP 2 (Age 6–7 years)

Domain	Learning Objectives	Key Concepts	Sample Projects
Coding	- Build sequences with loops - Understand events and triggers - Create interactive stories	- Loops - Events - Simple conditionals	- Animated greeting cards - Interactive stories - Dance party programs
Robotics	- Program basic robot movements - Use simple sensors - Complete challenges	- Input/output - Sensors (color) - Cause and effect	- Color-coded paths - Simple obstacle courses - Light-up responses
AI/ML Concepts	- Understand automation - Recognize smart devices - Simple decision trees	- Automation - If-then thinking - Smart devices	- "Smart home" simulation - Robot pet behaviors - Voice command games

IBPYP 3 (Age 7–8 years)

Domain	Learning Objectives	Key Concepts	Sample Projects
Coding	- Master loops and nested loops - Use conditionals (if-then) - Debug complex sequences	- Nested loops - Conditionals - Variables (intro)	- Maze solvers - Simple games (catch, avoid) - Quiz programs
Robotics	- Line-following robots - Basic sensor programming - Design challenges	- Line sensors - Distance detection - Sequential logic	- Line-following car - Sumo wrestling bot - Drawing robot
AI/ML Concepts	- Computational thinking intro - Pattern-based decisions - Data collection basics	- Algorithms - Data patterns - Training concept	- Teach computer to recognize shapes - Sort data by rules - Pattern prediction games

IBPYP 4 (Age 8–9 years)

Domain	Learning Objectives	Key Concepts	Sample Projects
Coding	- Use variables effectively - Create functions - Build interactive games	- Variables - Functions - Events & broadcasting	- Clicker games - Platformer basics - Interactive quizzes
Robotics	- Multi-sensor programming - Motor control (speed, direction) - Collaborative builds	- Touch sensors - Light sensors - Motor programming	- Sensor-triggered actions - Light-seeking robot - Remote control car
AI/ML Concepts	- What makes machines "smart"? - Training vs. programming - Data patterns recognition	- Training data - Recognition - Prediction	- Image classifier (animals) - Sound recognition game - Gesture-controlled program

IBPYP 5 (Age 9–10 years)

Domain	Learning Objectives	Key Concepts	Sample Projects
Coding	- Transition to text-based coding - Python basics (syntax, variables) - Game development	- Variables & data types - Functions - Lists (intro)	- Text-based adventure - Calculator program - Simple web apps
Robotics	- Logic-based programming - Multi-step challenges - Design-build-test cycle	- Logical operators - Loops in robotics - Sensor fusion	- Autonomous navigation - Gripper mechanisms - Smart home model
AI/ML Concepts	- Real AI applications - Supervised learning basics - Bias in data	- Supervised learning - Training datasets - Bias & fairness	- Spam filter simulation - Recommendation system (books) - Facial expression detector

IBMYP 6 (Grade 6, Age 10–11 years)

Domain	Learning Objectives	Key Concepts	Sample Projects
Coding	- Python fundamentals - Input/output, conditionals - Basic algorithms	- Variables & operators - If/elif/else - While/for loops	- Number guessing game - Simple chatbot - Mad Libs generator
Robotics	- Microcontroller basics - Sensor input programming - Basic circuits	- Digital I/O - Analog sensors - Serial communication	- Weather station - Motion-activated alarm - LED patterns
AI/ML Concepts	- How AI "learns" - Classification intro - Real-world AI examples	- Classification - Features labels - AI behavior	- Plant species classifier - Music genre detector - AI in daily life research

IBMYP 7 (Grade 7, Age 11–12 years)

Domain	Learning Objectives	Key Concepts	Sample Projects
Coding	- Python data structures - Functions and modules - File handling	- Lists, tuples, dictionaries - Functions & parameters - Reading/writing files	- Quiz app with scoring - Contact list manager - Text-based RPG
Robotics	- Electronics fundamentals - Sensor integration - Circuit design	- Voltage, current, resistance - Digital vs. analog - PWM control	- Smart plant monitor - Distance warning system - RGB mood lamp
AI/ML Concepts	- Training ML models - Audio/image recognition - Model accuracy	- Training process - Epochs & accuracy - Overfitting (intro)	- Speech command recognizer - Hand gesture controller - Rock-paper-scissors AI

IBMYP 8 (Grade 8, Age 12–13 years)

Domain	Learning Objectives	Key Concepts	Sample Projects
Coding	- Object-oriented programming - Advanced algorithms - Web development basics	- Classes & objects - Inheritance - Sorting algorithms	- Library management system - Personal website - Simple web game
Robotics	- Multi-robot systems - Automation projects - Integration challenges	- State machines - Multi-threading basics - Communication protocols	- Warehouse automation model - Traffic light system -- Remote monitoring
AI/ML Concepts	- Computer vision basics - Object detection - Neural networks (intro)	- Image processing - Object detection - Neural network structure	- Face detection app - Object counter - Color-based tracking

IBMYP 9 (Grade 9, Age 13–14 years)

Domain	Learning Objectives	Key Concepts	Sample Projects
Coding	- Advanced Python programming - Data structures & algorithms - APIs and libraries	- Dictionaries, sets - Recursion - API integration	- Weather dashboard - Data analysis project - Chat application
Robotics	- IoT fundamentals - Cloud connectivity - Sensor networks	- WiFi/Bluetooth - Cloud platforms - Data logging	- Smart home prototype - Environmental monitor - Remote control system
AI/ML Concepts	- AI ethics & responsibility - Data privacy - Bias mitigation	- Ethical AI - Data protection - Algorithmic bias	- Bias in datasets analysis - Privacy policy review - Ethical AI debate

IBMYP 10 (Grade 10, Age 14–15 years)

Domain	Learning Objectives	Key Concepts	Sample Projects
Coding	- Full-stack development - Mobile app basics - Database management	- Backend/frontend - Databases (SQL) - Authentication	- E-commerce prototype - Mobile weather app - Social media clone
Robotics	- Advanced IoT systems - Edge computing - System integration	- Edge vs. cloud - System architecture - Real-time processing	- Smart city model - Agricultural automation - Home security system
AI/ML Concepts	- ML algorithms deep-dive - Supervised vs. unsupervised - Model evaluation	- Decision trees - K-means clustering - Confusion matrix	- Student performance predictor - Customer segmentation - Spam classifier

IBDP 11 (Grade 11, HL/SL, Age 15–16 years)

Domain	Learning Objectives	Key Concepts	Sample Projects
Computer Science	- IB CS curriculum (HL/SL) - System fundamentals - Computational thinking Programming (Java/Python)	- Abstraction - Algorithms & data structures - Object-oriented design System design	- Database-driven app Simulation software - Data management system - IB Internal Assessment prep
Robotics	- Autonomous systems - SLAM basics - Advanced sensors (LIDAR, IMU) - Competition robotics	- Localization - Mapping - Path planning - Control systems	- Autonomous delivery robot - Line-following with obstacles - Robotic arm (pick-and-place) Competition bot
AI/ML Concepts	- ML model building - Neural networks - Training pipelines - Algorithm comparison	- CNNs (image) - RNNs (sequence) - Training/validation/test - Hyperparameters	-Image classification (CIFAR-10) - Text sentiment analyzer - Time series forecasting - ML research paper review

IBDP 12 (Grade 12, HL/SL, Age 16–17 years)

Domain	Learning Objectives	Key Concepts	Sample Projects
Computer Science	- IB CS HL/SL completion - Advanced programming - Systems development - Networks & web science	- Client-server architecture - Encryption & security - Distributed systems - Social & ethical issues	- Complete IB Internal - Assessment - Full-stack web application - Security analysis project - Extended Essay (CS option)
Robotics	- End-to-end robotics - Multi-robot coordination - Real-world deployment - Capstone design	- System integration - Fault tolerance - Performance optimization - Documentation	- Smart plant monitor - Distance warning system - RGB mood lamp
AI/ML	- Capstone AI/ML project - Deployment & production - Ethical considerations - Research & presentation	- Model deployment - A/B testing - Responsible AI - Continuous learning	- Healthcare diagnostic tool - Real-time object detection - NLP chatbot - AI capstone with full report

Turning the IB’s vision for technology education into reality needs careful planning and the right resources.IB schools face the challenge of keeping high academic standards while also providing hands-on, inquiry-based learning experiences. This is where CYFI comes in, offering a complete solution for schools. CYFI understands the IB approach and offers full support to schools looking to build or strengthen their STEM programs. From age-appropriate robotics kits to complete teacher training that follows IB’s inquiry-based approach, CYFI handles it all. Schools gain access to age-appropriate hardware, hands-on lesson plans that spark student-led exploration, real-world project activities, and continuous technical support. Rather than juggling multiple vendors or handling implementation on their own, teachers can focus on what they do best-guiding students through meaningful, hands-on learning. With CYFI’s all-in-one approach to coding and robotics labs, IB schools can confidently offer the hands-on, future-ready education their students deserve.

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