Have you ever dreamed about making the next great app, website or game? This course is the first step in that journey! The course aims to explore the topic of computer science broadly, looking at how it connects to real world topics like the environment, finance and social justice. Our goal is to give students with no experience an opportunity to explore programming. Students will develop a personal website using HTML/CSS (and learn how to optimize it for mobile screens), create and code their own game and learn Python (one of the most widely used programming languages in science, finance and academic research).

Love board games? Interested in learning more about how they are made? In this semester-long, project-based course students will spend their time playing, studying and making board games. A wide variety of game styles will be explored giving students a chance to learn about gameplay mechanics, the importance of theme/setting, graphic design and more. The culminating project of this course will be a team project where students design and publish their own board game!

Have you ever dreamed about making the next great app, website or game? This course is the first step in that journey! The course aims to explore the topic of computer science broadly, looking at how it connects to real world topics like the environment, finance and social justice. Our goal is to give students with no experience an opportunity to explore programming. Students will develop a personal website using HTML/CSS (and learn how to optimize it for mobile screens), create and code their own game and learn Python (one of the most widely used programming languages in science, finance and academic research).

Extend your learning from CS 3-4 by developing algorithms, applications and games in Unity/C#. Unity is an increasingly important tool for developers of simulations, apps, games, virtual reality and augmented reality experiences. Students will spend the first semester building CS skills and familiarity with the Unity platform through a series of small projects (including interactivity, lighting, simulations and procedural generation). In the second semester students will have the opportunity to explore larger projects of their own choosing in a team setting. Many students focus on a project for the Oregon Game Project or Congressional App Challenges. At the end of the year students will have developed portfolio-worthy final projects that showcase their coding and creative skills!

Live the dream and get creative with coding! Propose and develop your own app or game and spend your days developing it with a team of like-minded students. Students will propose either semester or full year length projects using technology of their choice. Students will learn software engineering skills such as version control, agile development, and project management in a fast and flexible setting. Students are encouraged to develop with the intention of taking their product to a showcase, challenge or competition. Past student projects from this class have resulted in state, national and international awards!

This is a continuation of the CS 7-8 class designed for seniors. In addition to the goals for CS 7-8, students are encouraged to look outside the classroom for inspiration for their projects. In the past, students have collaborated with Ida B. Wells teachers, PSU, local businesses, non-profit organizations and even the Portland Police Department on ambitious projects with spectacular results!