Mainframe — The Bear Code

// About the Platform

What is Mainframe?

Mainframe is a desktop training simulator where students learn real Linux, Python, cryptography, and AI agent concepts through hands-on missions. The teacher leads each lesson on the big screen while students follow along on their own machines. A simulated agent guides the work — all interactions are pre-scripted for safety, no real AI involved — but students write the code and run the commands themselves. Fast finishers can push ahead through the directives at their own pace.

MAINFRAME ACCESS GRANTED.

Welcome, STUDENT.

You have been connected to a classified training terminal.

Five directives are available:

    [PYTHON BASICS]         — Learn Python from scratch.
    [LINUX HACKER]          — Master the command line.
    [CIPHER SPECIALIST]     — Crack codes with Python.
    [ALGORITHM OPERATIVE]   — Search, sort, and solve.
    [AGENT OVERLORD]        — Command AI agents.

Choose your directive. Training begins now.

// Training Directives

Five Paths. One Terminal.

Each directive is a self-contained track of missions. The class works through them together, with the teacher leading on the projector. Missions unlock in sequence — every mission has a simulated agent, a code editor, a terminal, and a goal.

[>>>] print ("!")

Python Basics

Learn Python from scratch — variables, types, loops, functions, lists, dictionaries, files, and debugging. 20 missions from first print() to a capstone project.

What Is Python?
Variables and Assignment
Data Types
Booleans and Comparisons
Code Tracing
Conditionals: if / elif / else
Complex Conditionals
For Loops with range()
While Loops
Defining and Calling Functions
Parameters and Return Values
Lists: Creating, Indexing, Modifying
Iterating Over Lists
Dictionaries: Keys and Values
Nested Lists and Dictionaries
Reading and Writing Files
Working with JSON Data
Debugging Techniques
Bug Hunt: Grade Calculator
Unit Project: Contact Book

20 missions

____ |>_ $| |____|

Linux Hacker

Master the command line. Navigate filesystems, wrangle data, hunt bugs, and decode secrets — all from a terminal.

Where Am I?
Looking Around
Moving Around
Creating Directories
Creating & Reading Files
Writing to Files
Copying & Moving
Removing Files & Directories
Inspecting Files
Searching in Files

10 missions

{ ? ? } |A=Z| |B=Y| {___}

Cipher Specialist

Crack codes and build ciphers. Caesar, Vigenere, XOR, hashing, and Base64 — learn real cryptography with Python.

Caesar Cipher
Vigenere Cipher
XOR Encryption
Hashing
Base64 Encoding
Final Codebreak

6 missions

[0]->[1] | | [3]<-[2]

Algorithm Operative

Master classic CS algorithms — searching, sorting, recursion, stacks, and maze solving with Python.

Linear vs Binary Search
Bubble Sort
Selection Sort
Recursion
Stacks
Maze Solver

6 missions

.---. / A.I.\ | ||| | \___/ /| |\

Agent Overlord

Learn how AI agents work. Write prompts, approve tool calls, and review agent decisions — all through safe, pre-scripted simulations.

Your First Prompt
Reading & Writing Files
Running Code
Deny the Dangerous
The Agent Loop

5 missions

// How It Works

Your Workstation

Mainframe gives every student a full coding environment — no setup, no installs, no external accounts. The teacher drives the lesson while students follow along on their own terminals.

Agent Chat

A simulated agent guides each mission with pre-scripted responses — no real AI, fully safe for the classroom. Students learn how agents work by interacting with one.

Code Editor

Write Python directly in the app. Save, run, and see output instantly. Syntax highlighting, line numbers, and a file browser built in.

Live Terminal

A real Linux terminal for the Linux Hacker missions. Navigate, create files, search, pipe — all the commands work just like a real shell.

Progress Tracking

Missions unlock in sequence. Complete one to access the next. The teacher sees every student's progress from the dashboard.

Offline & Locked Down

Everything runs locally. No internet required. Blocking software on the iMacs keeps students focused — no browsing, no games, just Mainframe.

Teacher-Led

The teacher leads each lesson live on the projector. Students follow along on their own machines. Fast finishers can push ahead through directives at their own pace.

// Screenshots

Inside the Terminal

See what students see when they log in and start working.

Login — Who are you?

Access Granted — Choose your directive

Mission Control — Agent Chat, Code Editor, Files

Linux Hacker — 10 terminal missions

Algorithm Operative — search, sort, solve

// Class Details

Spring Trimester 2026

// Schedule

Tuesdays & Thursdays
10:15 AM – 10:55 AM

// Location

KMAC 103
Tuxedo Park School

// Grades

Open to grades 6–9
No experience required

$ cat /etc/class/philosophy.txt

No slides. No textbooks. Just a terminal.

The teacher leads each mission on the big screen.
Students follow along on their own machines.
A simulated agent helps when they get stuck.
They write real code. They use a real terminal.

The iMacs are locked down — no browsers, no games,
no distractions. When you're in this class, you're
in Mainframe. Fast finishers push ahead on their own.

The goal: when this trimester ends, every student
walks out knowing how to navigate Linux, write Python,
and understand how AI agents actually work —
all through safe, pre-scripted simulations.

$ _