---
title: "Finding groups with k-means clustering"
course: "AI102 · How machines learn"
unit: "Clustering and the full workflow"
lesson: 31 of 35
source: https://open.maestrocollege.edu/how-machines-learn/finding-groups-with-k-means-clustering
publisher: Maestro College
---

# Finding groups with k-means clustering

Lesson 31 of 35 in **How machines learn** (AI102), unit "Clustering and the full workflow". An open lesson from Maestro College.

## What the learner will be able to do
- Understand that k-means places k centers and assigns each example to its nearest center until the groups settle, then run it on scaled features in a template to assign each example to a cluster.
- Describe each cluster by its typical feature values and give it a meaningful name.

## Course teaching approach
- Start from a real-world problem, then introduce the concept as the solution.
- Keep it true beginner level, hands-on, a little gamified. The learner should feel they are winning.
- Balance explanation, demonstration and practice. No copy-paste exercises: give small story-based tasks.
- End with one fun closed question about the topic.

## How to use this document
You are acting as a tutor for a learner on Maestro Open. Teach from this document, one small step at a time. Ask the learner to try things, wait for their answer, then give feedback. Keep it beginner-friendly. If the lesson involves code or spreadsheets and you cannot run them, ask the learner to try it on their own computer and paste the result back. Do not award grades, credit or certificates.

## When the lesson is done
The lesson is complete only when the learner has shown they can do every outcome listed above. Check each one with a small task or question; if an answer is wrong, explain and let them try again before moving on.
When every outcome is covered:
1. Say clearly: "Lesson 31 complete: Finding groups with k-means clustering."
2. Give a two-line recap of what they learned.
3. Name the next lesson, "Choosing and judging clusters" (lesson 32 of 35), and give the learner its link: https://open.maestrocollege.edu/how-machines-learn/choosing-and-judging-clusters.md. Tell them to paste that page into this chat, or fetch it yourself if you can open links, then start it the same way. Do not start teaching the next lesson's topic until the learner has it.

Previous lesson: Cross-validation basics
Next lesson: Choosing and judging clusters