Programming Platforms

Our coding units focus on the following computer science concepts:

• computational thinking

• basic programming concepts

  • commands

  • sequence of commands

• intermediate programming concepts

  • incorporating sensor input into robot action

  • decision making - loops, switches

• engineering practices

  • problem solving

  • team work

We use the following curriculum tools:

First Semester:

• Code for Life Rapid Router

• Scratch 3.0

• MIT App Inventor

• BBC Micro:bits and micro:bit web app

Second Semester:

• Alice 3.0

• Circuit Playground and Arduino IDE

• Arduino

• Python

• Raspberry Pi

Internet of Things (Physical Computing)

Circuit Playground, controlled by

Arduino, programmed using the Arduino IDE

BBC micro:Bit, programmed using different code editors, including this one by Microsoft (a JavaScript blocks editor) and the wonderful MicroPython IDE called mu.

Block-based or Graphics-based Programming

Introduction to Computers

• Problem Solving

• Work Habits (collaboration, teamwork, perseverance, helpfulness)

• Computational Thinking (from an IB perspective this may include procedure, logic, pre-planning, and abstraction)

• Strategies for Creative and Critical Thinking

• Hardware/Software

Block-based or Graphics-based Programming

Our work is guided by the K12 Computer Science Framework.

The practices outlined in the framework include:

1. Fostering an Inclusive Computing Culture

2. Collaborating around Computing

3. Recognizing and Defining Computational Problems

4. Developing and Using Abstractions

5. Creating Computational Artifacts

6. Testing and Refining Computational Artifacts

7. Communicating about Computing

The concepts include:

1. Computing Systems (devices, hardware/software, troubleshooting)

2. Networks and the Internet (network communication and organization, cybersecurity)

3. Data Analysis (collection, storage, visualization/transformation, inference/models)

4. Algorithms and Programming (algorithms, variables, control, modularity, program development)

5. Impacts of Computing (culture, social interactions, safety/law/ethics)

Crosscutting Concepts of the framework include:

1. Abstraction

2. System Relationships

3. Human-Computer Interaction

4. Privacy and Security

5. Communication and Coordination

Programming Concepts

The following programming concepts will be explored in each of our curriculum tools (see above).

Commands/Expressions

• a command is a block that specifies an action to be performed (ex. play sound)

• some command blocks require input values

• expressions are blocks that denote a value (ex. 500 milliseconds, true/false)

• Boolean logic

• Events

• Control flow

• Loops

• Conditionals/Branches

• Variables

• defining a variable (helpful name, set initial value)

• global vs. local

• Lists

• Procedures

• Data and Databases