Computer Science Essentials

923 – Computer Science Essentials – 0.5 credit - grades 9-12

· Semester – No Prerequisite

PLTW CSE introduces students to coding fundamentals through an approachable, block-based programming language where they will have early success in creating usable apps. The course consists of 2 Units.

Unit 1 welcomes new and returning students to the world of computer science and coding fundamentals. Students work with MIT App Inventor to create basic apps that rely on the concepts of event-driven programming, branching, iteration, variables, and abstraction—the building blocks of creating with code. Students are introduced to essential computational thinking practices, such as developing abstractions, collaborating around computing, and communicating as they create, test, and refine computational artifacts of Android™ apps.

Unit 2 continues to reinforce coding fundamentals as students are gradually introduced to text-based programming. In this unit, students will explore the impacts of computer science on our society and bring coding off the screen and into the physical world. Students will learn how images can be used to make decisions in programs and explore real-world applications and innovations that will shape our future.