This is an introductory, year-long high school computer science class that focuses on foundation computer science concepts and computational practices.

You will learn to create computer programs that will help you learn to collaborate with others, develop problem-solving skills, and persist through difficult tasks. You will study programming concepts, computational thinking, digital citizenship, and develop interactive games or stories that you can share.

You will learn that “intelligent” machine behavior is not “magic” but is based on algorithms applied to useful representations of information, including large data sets. Also, that the characteristics that make certain tasks easy or difficult for computers, and how these differ from those that humans characteristically find easy or difficult. You will gain an appreciation for the many ways in which computing enabled innovations have had an impact on society, as well as for the many different fields in which they are used. Connections among social, economic and cultural contexts will be discussed.

You will become a “computational thinker” by applying a variety of problem solving techniques as you create solutions to problems in a variety of contexts.

You will take the role of a developer by expanding your knowledge of programming and Web page design and applying it to the creation of Web pages, programs, and documentation.

You will design programming solutions to a variety of computational problems including animated stories, video games, and community based projects. Also, you will apply programming and problem solving skills to the study of robotics and work in small groups to design, build, and program a robot to perform a required task.

The Edison robot is a powerful, engaging tool for you to learn and apply computational thinking and computer programming in a hands-on way.

Hour of Code is an introduction to computer science through fun activities and videos for students with varying coding experience. Students and parents/guardians can access the Hour of Code Website containing new activities, videos, and links. These typically “playtime” games are turned into serious lessons about computer science. This is a worldwide computer science movement that coincides with National Computer Science Education Week celebrated the first week of December.