Computer Science
Our Mission:
Our Mission:
The mission of the Pickerington Schools Computer Science pathway is to provide K-12 grade education that will give students experiences that will allow them to build interest and engagement in computer science. As the student progresses through the pathway it is an additional goal that students in the computer science pathway become thoughtful, productive members of the computing profession and community.
The Knowns:
The Knowns:
- Computing occupations are the number 1 source of all new wages in the US.
- Computer Science is one of the most in-demand college degrees.
- Because computer science touches so many fields, it is now foundational knowledge that all students need.
- 93% of Ohio parents want their child’s school to teach computer science.
- Students who learn computer science in high school are 6 times more likely to major in it, and women are 10 times more likely.
- In Ohio 67% of parents and 56% of teachers believe students should be required to learn computer science.
- Ohio currently has 15,105 computer science openings.
- The average salary for computer occupation in Ohio is $83,959, compared to the Ohio average salary of $45,930.
- Ohio has 1,137 computer science graduates in 2015, only 18% were female.
Improvements:
Improvements:
- Pickerington Schools (PLSD) plans to increase the amount of time elementary students are exposed to computer science games, toys and coding.
- PLSD plans to increase the amount of time that middle school students are exposed to robotics and drone coding in Swift, Scratch and Blockly.
- PLSD plans to offer more sections of Project Lead the Way Computer Science for Innovators and Makers and the PLTW App Creators courses.
- PLSD plans to hire an additional FTE to support the additional PLTW sections.
- PLSD plans to offer the PLTW Computer Science A course, and offer the AP Computer Science A test during the 2018-19 school year and beyond.
- PLSD plans to offer the PLTW Cyber Security course during the 2019-2020 school year and beyond.
- PLSD plans to make Computer Science courses available for Algebra II credit as deemed allowable by the Ohio Department of Education.
- PLSD plans to evaluate with possible adoption of the newly created State of Ohio Computer Science standards.
Computer Science (Coding) Pathway Courses
Computer Science (Coding) Pathway Courses
Kindergarten through 4th Grade
Kindergarten through 4th Grade
- Visual Coding - Puzzlets, Spheros, Ozobots
- Supply coding “toys” to each building
- Minimum of 15 hours per school year in working with our technology integration specialists
- Integration of computer science into the technology skills matrix
- Hour of Code - at least once per year
- Google Applied Digital Skills
- Google Be Internet Awesome
5th - 6th Grade
5th - 6th Grade
- Visual Coding scaffolded into drag and drop coding, Swift, Blockly, Scratch
- EdTech Toys - Ozobots, Parrot Drones
- Hour of Code - at least once per year
- Minimum of 20 hours per school year in working with our technology integration specialists
- Integration of computer science into the technology skills matrix
- Google Applied Digital Skills
- Google Be Internet Awesome
7th - 8th Grade
7th - 8th Grade
- PLTW Gateway - Computer Science for Innovators & Makers
- PLTW Gateway - App Creator (Fall 2018)
- Hour of Code - at least once per year
- Google Applied Digital Skills
9th - 12th Grade
9th - 12th Grade
- PLTW Courses - CTE
- Computer Science Principles
- Allows the AP CSP assessment
- Computer Science A (Fall 2018)
- Allows the AP Computer Science A assessment
- CyberSecurity (Fall 2019)
- Hour of Code - at least once per year
- Google Applied Digital Skills