Practical Arts - PLTW

PLTW Computer Science engages students in real-world activities like creating an online art portal or using automation to process and analyze DNA-sequence data. These projects illustrate how intricately computer science is woven into our society, challenge students to apply computational thinking and logic to solve big problems, and transform students into builders of tech. This program includes multiple one-year courses. Course offerings include computer science essentials, cybersecurity, computer science principles and computer science A.

Students can earn college credit by achieving a certain score on their PLTW End of Course Exams. To receive college credit for PLTW courses students must submit an application and tuition fees to the school of their choice. College credit for PLTW classes is available through Missouri S&T, University of Central Missouri, St. Louis Community College and many others. For more information on PLTW college credit options visit www.pltw.org/our-partners/college-and-university-partners

Course Descriptions

PLTW Computer Science Essentials

Grade Level Placement:  09, 10, 11, 12

1 Unit/Y Prerequisite: None Credit Type: Practical Arts (PA)

With emphasis on computational thinking and collaboration, this year-long course provides an excellent entry point for students to begin or continue the PLTW Computer Science PreK-12 experience. Computer Science Essentials will expose students to a diverse set of computational thinking concepts, fundamentals, and tools, allowing them to gain understanding and build confidence. Students will use visual, block-based programming and seamlessly transition to text-based programming with languages such as Python to create apps and develop websites, and learn how to make computers work together to put their design into practice. They’ll apply computational thinking practices, build their vocabulary, and collaborate just as computing professionals do to create products that address topics and problems important to them. (pltw.org)

PLTW Cybersecurity

Grade Level Placement:  09, 10, 11, 12

1 Unit/Y Prerequisite: None Credit Type: Practical Arts (PA)

Cybersecurity is a year-long course that introduces the tools and concepts of cybersecurity and encourages students to create solutions that allow people to share computing resources while protecting privacy. Nationally, computational resources are vulnerable and frequently attacked; in Cybersecurity, students solve problems by understanding and closing these vulnerabilities. This course raises students’ knowledge of and commitment to ethical computing behavior. It also aims to develop students’ skills as consumers, friends, citizens, and employees who can effectively contribute to communities with a dependable cyber-infrastructure that moves and processes information safely. (pltw.org)

PLTW Computer Science Principles

Grade Level Placement:  10, 11, 12

1 Unit/Y Prerequisite: Computer Science Essentials Credit Type: Practical Arts (PA)

This is a full-year, introductory college-level course designed to prepare students to thrive in college, careers, and beyond. Using Python® as a primary tool, students learn the fundamentals of coding, data processing, data security, and task automation, while learning to contribute to an inclusive, safe, and ethical computing culture. The course promotes computational thinking and coding fundamentals and introduces computational tools that foster creativity. Computer Science Principles helps students develop programming expertise and explore the workings of the Internet. Projects and problems include app development, visualization of data, cybersecurity, and simulation. PLTW is recognized by the College Board as an endorsed provider of curriculum and professional development for AP® Computer Science Principles (AP CSP). This endorsement affirms that all components of PLTW CSP’s offerings are aligned to the AP Curriculum Framework standards and the AP CSP assessment. (pltw.org)

PLTW Computer Science A

Grade Level Placement: 11, 12

1 Unit/Y Prerequisite: Computer Science Essentials Credit Type: Practical Arts (PA)

Throughout the year-long Computer Science A course experience, students cultivate their understanding of coding through analyzing, writing, and testing code as they explore concepts like modularity, variables, and control structures. Fundamental topics in this course include the design of solutions to problems, the use of data structures to organize large sets of data, the development and implementation of algorithms to process data and discover new information, the analysis of potential solutions, and the ethical and social implications of computing systems. The course emphasizes object-oriented programming and design using the Java programming language. PLTW is recognized by the College Board as an endorsed provider of curriculum and professional development for AP® Computer Science A (AP CSa). This endorsement affirms that all components of PLTW CSa’s offerings are aligned to the AP Curriculum Framework standards and the AP CSA assessment. (pltw.org)