Computer Science

Level: AP

Credit(s): 1

Semester(s): 2

Typical Grade Level: 11th & 12th

Prerequisites:  AP Computer Science Principles; A or B in previous level content class; Cs and lower must have a teacher recommendation.  Students should be comfortable with functions and the concepts found in the uses of function notation, such as f(x) = x + 2 and f(x) = g(h(x)). 

The AP Computer Science A course and exam focuses on computing skills related to programming in Java. This course is equivalent to a first-semester, college level computer science course. It introduces students to computer science with fundamental topics that include problem solving, design strategies and methodologies, organization of data (data structures), approaches to processing data (algorithms), analysis of potential solutions, and the ethical and social implications of computing.  The course emphasizes both object-oriented and imperative problem solving and design using Java language. These techniques represent proven approaches for developing solutions that can scale up from small, simple problems to large, complex problems. (from College Board)

Level of Challenge:

Typical Homework Commitment:

Level: AP

Credit(s): 1

Semester(s): 2

Typical Grade Level: ANY

Prerequisites:  Algebra I competency OR an A or B in Fundamentals of IT or ECS

The AP Computer Science Principles course is designed to be equivalent to a first-semester introductory college computing course.  In this course, students will develop computational thinking vital for success across all disciplines, such as using computational tools to analyze and study data and working with large data sets to analyze, visualize, and draw conclusions from trends. This course is unique in its focus on fostering student creativity.  Students are encouraged to apply creative processes when developing computational artifacts and to think creatively while using computer software and other technology to explore questions that interest them. They will also develop effective communication and collaboration skills, working individually and collaboratively to solve problems, and discussing and writing about the importance of these problems, and discussing and writing about the importance of these problems and the impacts to their community, society, and the world.  (from College Board).  

The curriculum includes following interesting Lessons.

UNIT 1 - THE INTERNET - This unit explores the technical challenges and questions that arise from the need to represent digital information in computers and transfer it between people and computational devices. The unit then explores the structure and design of the internet and the implications of those design decisions. 

UNIT 2 - DIGITAL INFORMATION - This unit further explores the ways that digital information is encoded, represented and manipulated. Being able to digitally manipulate data, visualize it, and identify patterns, trends and possible meanings are important practical skills that computer scientists do every day. Understanding where data comes from, having intuitions about what could be learned or extracted from it, and being able to use computational tools to manipulate data and communicate about it are the primary skills addressed in the unit. 

UNIT 3 - ALGORITHMS AND PROGRAMMING - This unit introduces the foundational concepts of computer programming, which unlocks the ability to make rich, interactive apps. This course uses JavaScript as the programming language, and App Lab as the programming environment to build apps, but the concepts learned in these lessons span all programming languages and tools. 

UNIT 4 - BIG DATA AND PRIVACY - The data-rich world we live in introduces many complex questions related to public policy, law, ethics and societal impact. The goals of this unit are to develop a well-rounded and balanced view about data in the world, including the positive and negative effects of it, and to understand the basics of how and why modern encryption works. 

UNIT 5 - BUILDING APPS - This unit continues the introduction of foundational concepts of computer programming, which unlocks the ability to make rich, interactive apps. This course uses JavaScript as the programming language, and App Lab as the programming environment to build apps, but the concepts learned in these lessons span all programming languages and tools. 

CREATE PERFORMANCE TASKS - Design a project plan, then work on and complete your AP* CREATE project for submission to the College Board.  This is part 2 of your uploaded portfolio, and will be counted in your AP grade.  You have at least 12 class hours to complete this.

The following information is from the College Board website:

AP Computer Science Principles introduces you to the foundations of computer science with a focus on how computing powers the world. Along with the fundamentals of computing, you will learn to analyze data, create technology that has a practical impact, and gain a broader understanding of how computer science impacts people and society.

Check this link to a video that explains what you can do in AP Computer Science Principles: 

https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-computer-science-principles/about 

The AP CSP course is organized around seven big ideas, which are essential to studying computer science.

Big Idea 1: Creativity

Computing is a creative activity. In this course, you will use the tools and techniques of computer science to create interesting and relevant digital artifacts (e.g., a video, animation, infographic, audio recording or program) with characteristics that are enhanced by computation.

Big Idea 2: Abstraction

Abstraction is a central problem-solving technique in computer science. In this course, you'll use abstraction to model the world and communicate with people and machines.

Big Idea 3: Data and Information

Data and information facilitate the creation of knowledge. Managing and interpreting an overwhelming amount of raw data is part of the foundation of our information society and technology. In this course, you will work with data to better understand the many ways in which data is transformed into information and knowledge.

Big Idea 4: Algorithms

Algorithms are used to develop and express solutions to computational problems. They are fundamental to even the most basic everyday task. In this course, you will work with algorithms in many ways: You will develop and express original algorithms, implement algorithms in a language, and analyze algorithms analytically and empirically.

Big Idea 5: Programming

Programming enables problem solving, human expression, and creation of knowledge. It results in the creation of software, and it facilitates the creation of computational artifacts, including music, images, and visualizations. In this course, you'll learn the fundamental concepts of programming that can be applied across a variety of projects and languages. You will create programs, translating human intention into computational artifacts.

Big Idea 6: The Internet

The Internet and systems built on it have a profound impact on society. It pervades modern computing. In this course, you will: gain insight into how the Internet operates; study characteristics of the Internet and systems built on it; and analyze important concerns, such as cybersecurity.

Big Idea 7: Global Impact

Computation has changed the way people think, work, live, and play. In this course, you'll become familiar with many ways in which computing enables innovation. You will analyze the potential benefits and harmful effects of computing in a number of contexts.

Level of Challenge: Medium

Typical Homework Commitment: One hour everyday.

Check this link to a video that explains what you can do in AP Computer Science Principles: 

https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-computer-science-principles/about 

Level: AP/DC

Credit(s): 1

Semester(s): 2

Typical Grade Level: 11th or 12th (Student must be 16 or older)

Prerequisites:  6 RTW CCC Placement Exam Score Needed. 

Level of Challenge:

Typical Homework Commitment:

Level: AP/DC

Credit(s): 1

Semester(s): 2

Typical Grade Level: 11th or 12th (Student must be 16 or older)

Prerequisites:  6 RTW CCC Placement Exam Score Needed. 

Level of Challenge:

Typical Homework Commitment:

Level: H

Credit(s): 1

Semester(s): 2

Typical Grade Level: ANY

Prerequisites: NONE

This is the first course in the Computer Science Pathway. This course meets the requirement for ALL CPS students to take a computer science course. The primary purpose of this course is to introduce students to the breadth of the field of computer science through an exploration of engaging and accessible topics. Focused on the conceptual ideas if computing, it helps students understand why certain tools or languages might be utilized to solve particular problems. The goal is to develop the computational thinking practices of algorithm development, problem solving and programming within the context of problems that are relevant to the lives of today’s students. They will also be introduced to interface design, limits of computers and societal and ethical issues. The student should be able to analyze the effects of developments in computing. Students also complete Microsoft Technology Associate Certification for Introduction to HTML and CSS.

**Successful Microsoft Technology Assistance  (MTA) exam completion earn a MTA  certification.***

Level of Challenge: 

Typical Homework Commitment:

Level: R

Credit(s): 1

Semester(s): 2

Typical Grade Level: 8th

Prerequisites: NONE

Robotics is a lab-based course that uses a hands-on approach to introduce the basic concepts of robotics, focusing on the construction and programming of autonomous mobile robots.. We will be utilizing Lego Mindstorm kits, Scratch programming, Breadboarding, and Arduinos throughout the year and participate in task-based challenges to test our robots. 

The objective of this course is to introduce the student to basic programming as well as problem solving strategies. This course will involve students in the development, building and programming of a LEGO Mindstorm robot. Students will work hands-on in teams to design, build, program, and document their progress. Topics may include sensors, timing, program loops, electricity, circuits, motor control, gear ratios, torque, friction, logic gates, decision-making, timing sequences, propulsion systems and binary number systems. 

Level of Challenge:

3

Typical Homework Commitment:

30 minutes - 1 hour