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AP Comp Sci Principles
Welcome
Welcome
AP Computer Science Principles introduces students to the breadth of the field of computer science. In this course, you will learn to design and evaluate solutions and to apply computer science principles to solve problems through the development of algorithms and programs. You will incorporate abstraction into programs and use data to discover new knowledge. You will also explain how computing innovations and computing systems (including the Internet), work, explore their potential impacts, and contribute to a computing culture that is collaborative and ethical.
Throughout this course you will become more and more familiar with the terminology and vocabulary regarding computing technologies. To start on this journey, this summer you will read a book that discusses some of the social implications of computing technology. While many of the details will likely be overwhelming at first, this initial read-through will help you to become more familiar with the topics that we will go over in class.
Questions are welcome after July 7th only. If you have a question about the assignment, please email Mr. Loomis: loomis@ehillel.org
All work must be completed by 8/17/2025 (one day before school starts).
Your Task
Your Task
Read the following book throughout the summer:
Blown to Bits (https://www.bitsbook.com/thebook/)
This book focuses on 7 "koans" about digital information and technology. A koan is like a thought puzzle or riddle in the form of an anecdote or story. You see lots of examples of anecdotes taken from real life throughout this book.
Don’t attempt to read the entire thing in one sitting, but read a bit at a time throughout the summer. In fact, you only need to read the first 6 chapters as those will given you the best introduction to the material we will discuss deeper in class. The book can be downloaded for free as a PDF* from the Website or feel free to purchase a physical copy if you so choose.
*Note: the file is large and the download may occasionally fail. Click the link again if that happens.
You will be given a timed quiz on the material discussed in the first 6 chapters of the book in the first week of class as a formative grade. To help you prepare for this quiz, you should take the practice quiz which can be found at the following link. The practice quiz does not have a time-limit, so feel free to review the book as you are taking it. It will be included as a classwork grade, so make sure you do submit the quiz.
Both quizzes are graded and count towards your first semester grade.
You can find a link to the practice quiz here:
In order for your quiz results to be recorded, you must log in with a Google account. Use your school account unless you are a new student to Scheck Hillel Community School, then you may use a personal Google account.
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