SSHS Computer Science Program

Welcome to Mr. Birkel's SaxonCS Website. 

This is his one-stop location for all things related to his Computer Science program @ South Salem High School. - It is a work in progress. Don't judge.

The Computer Programming program at SSHS prepares students for careers and continuing education in Computer Science, Web Development, and Robotics. Through industry-validated coursework and experiences, students will ​​​​​​​​​​​learn programming fundamentals as they design, build, & program websites, web apps, computer games, and robots, and solve problems in multiple programming languages.  By participating in the VEX Robotics program or TSA (Technology Student Organization), as well as practicum placements, students will have additional opportunities to gain relevant industry experience and real-world knowledge.  

At South, we offer a number of awesome opportunities for Saxons to get involved with Computer Technology - both during and after school.

Our program is predominantly divided into 3 areas:

• Web Development (and web app development)

• Computer Science (and Game Development)

• Robotics

We offer 3 extracurricular opportunities:

• VEX Robotics Teams (work in small groups to create competition robots)

• Computer Science Club (Come learn CS topics like building a computer, game development, competitive programming, etc)

• TSA (Technology Student Organization)

Check out our 3 minute highlight video

For more information on any of these opportunities, check out the items underneath "Classes" and "Clubs"

Computer Science is the study of making computers do things for you.

• Problem Solving - Taking a problem and figuring out solutions

• Algorithmic thinking - Developing step-by-step, repeatable instructions that get the same result.

• Communication - being able to communicate your ideas for others to follow

• Language - Learning new communication tools you might not be familiar with focusing on Syntax and Semantics

  • Syntax: Rules of the language (spelling, punctuation, capitalization, word order)

  • Semantics: Meaning (How you interpret what is being communicated) - computer's don't follow the same semantics rules you may be familiar with.

I'm offering the following opportunities for College Credit:

Willamette Promise

• Web Design (CS195) - Credit through Chemeketa Community College

  • This course is offered during my Web 1 class (at the moment). It can be taken Fall or Spring semesters, if the course is offered.

  • The material covers HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, and a Final Project. 50%-75% of the requirements are met purely by doing the Web1 assigned course work. Getting the credit requires you to add to class projects rather than to create completely new projects. Example: At the end of the HTML unit, you're responsible for creating a "Simple Bio" describing yourself using the HTML elements we covered. To complete the requirements for that same assignment for Willamette Promise, you have to add additional elements we may not have covered in class (forms, for example).

College Credit Now (CCN)

• Introduction to Robotics (MT105)

  • This course is offered Fall Semester, through the Robotics Programming or Robotics Projects classes, but can only meet requirements if students also participate in the after-school VEX Robotics program.

  • This course covers the following content:

    • History of Robotics

    • Safety

    • Robotics in Use

    • Robot Control - Autonomous & Remote