Grade Level: 9,10,11,12 Yearlong (10 credits) UC/CSU Subject Area: D
MBUSD District Graduation Requirement: Elective
Prerequisite(s): Enrollment or completion in Algebra 1 or higher
Course Description: Students work in teams to develop computational thinking and problem-solving skills. The course covers the College Board’s new CS Principles framework. The course does not aim to teach mastery of a single programming language but aims instead to develop computational thinking, to generate excitement about the field of computing, and to introduce computational tools that foster creativity. The course also aims to build students’ awareness of the tremendous demand for computer specialists and for professionals in all fields who have computational skills. The course also aims to engage students to consider issues raised by the present and future societal impact of computing. Students practice problem solving with structured activities and progress to open-ended projects and problems that require them to develop planning, documentation, communication, and other professional skills. Problems aim for ground-level entry with no ceiling so that all students can successfully engage the problems. Students with greater motivation, ability, or background knowledge will be challenged to work further. This class prepares students to take AP Computer Science A (CSA) the following year.