AP* Computer Science Principles 

AP® Computer Science Principles is a full­-year course introducing high school students to the foundations of modern computing.  It covers a broad range of foundational topics such as programming, algorithms, the Internet, big data, digital privacy and security, and the societal impacts of computing.  This is a fast-moving survey course, with different topics every week or two. 

It is good if students take Intro to Computer Science (Programming) before this AP course. If you already know how to program, you will be able to make much more interesting projects that are AP level work.  The reason we require Algebra I prior is because programs use function notation like f(x) = x + 2 and Cartesian (x, y) coordinate systems. 

Code.org has provided lesson and tools for teaching AP Computer Science Principles. Each Code.org unit tells a story about a topic in computing, and includes:

• A warm-­up activity to activate prior knowledge and/or present a thought­-provoking problem.

• An unplugged and/or plugged problem-solving activity.  Plugged activities include Code.org widgets, external computational tools, and Code.org's App Lab (JavaScript + Scratch.

• Student research, writing, or presentation.

For AP credit, there is both a project and an exam.The project is built in stages over the year.  The written AP exam is optional, as is submission of the project to the AP.