A Look at Computer Science Discoveries

Computer Science Discoveries is a new class at the high school this year, and it's unique in several ways. With registration for next year coming soon, I want to share some information about this course so parents and students are better informed when making course selections for next year.

Computer Science Discoveries is a full-year introductory computer science survey course. There are no prerequisites and it's available to all high school students. The curriculum is designed by Code.org and is an accessible and engaging course for all students, regardless of background or prior experience.

The course looks at computer science though a wide lens and covers topics such as programming, physical computing, HTML/CSS, and data. Students are empowered to create projects and engage with computer science as a medium for creativity, communication, problem solving, and fun.

Computer Science Discoveries is taught by long-time FHHS social studies teacher Randy Bragg. When he agreed to take on this new course, he also agreed to go through extensive training provided by Code.org, who has partnered with Science Foundation Arizona and Grand Canyon University to increase the number of schools offering computer sciences and hence, increase the number of students getting valuable experiences in this area. Mr. Bragg attended a week-long training during the summer along with approximately 300 other teachers from throughout the state. In addition, he and his colleagues have attended 3 full-day Saturday courses throughout the year with one more left to go in March.

As part of the training, Mr. Bragg went through the six main curricular units as a student, experiencing the course as his students experience it. He was impressed with the "twenty-something year-old young kids" who serve as Code.org trainers, impressed with both their knowledge of the content and the manners in which they're able to adapt that content so it's of interest to high school students.

Mr. Bragg shared some insights and surprises about teaching this course. "Seeing the kids putting it all together and actually understanding how and why computers work has been pretty cool. Also, I'm learning along with them and as we say in the Code.org trainings, we're 'lead learners' and that's true. I'm definitely learning along with them. The curriculum and resources are appropriate for helping all of us build our skills and knowledge and prepare us to go even further if we wish. I was a little surprised that I able to pick up on it myself and as a social studies teacher, able to learn the new content and effectively share it with the kids. I was also surprised that there were some kids who early on weren't that into it but have really jumped at the opportunity to learn more."

Sophomore Faye Pattea said, "I really like it! It's something new and fun. I've gotten to build my own website and build my own app. I'm a little surprised that I'm actually good at this and that it could be a career for me in the future." Faye is now considering a career that would involve helping small businesses develop apps unique to their purposes. She also sees value in the skills she's learning in this class when applied to other classes, finding herself more of a contributor in those classes that regularly utilize technology.

For sophomore Andrew Gantner, this class has allowed him to build upon his previous experience with coding, gained through taking free Khan Academy courses. He identified his favorite part so far as the Gaming Unit because, ".... it allowed me to create whatever I wanted and I created a Tower Defense game. Overall, the class allows for hands-on creativity, with very few restrictions on what you can create." Mr. Bragg shared with me that Andrew also serves as his resident "Go To" assistant, to whom he turns when he needs some extra help.

Ninth grader Braden Wendt said, "It's fun working with Mr. Bragg and other students. My favorite part is being able to use my creativity and working together with other students on projects. I had no prior coding experience but thought that getting to learn more about computers is becoming more and more important so I took the class. It's more fun than I expected and it's possible for everyone to learn, regardless of their prior experience."

This year Mr. Bragg has two sections of Computer Science Discoveries with 49 students total. The high school will be adding Computer Science Principles next year, a course with more advanced curriculum also provided by Code.org. It is a rigorous and engaging course that explores many of the big, foundational ideas of computing so that all students understand how these concepts are transforming the world we live in. It introduces students to the foundational concepts of computer science and challenges them to explore how computing and technology can impact the world. This course is aligned to the AP Curriculum Framework standards and the AP CS Principles assessment. AP College Board and AP credit can be earned by completing additional coursework determined by the teacher and passing the AP exam with a score of 3 or higher.

Computer Science Discoveries and Computer Science Principles are just two of the many great elective courses offered at Fountain Hills High School. As you make decisions about elective choices for next year, I encourage everyone to look closely at the many options, and if your student is still not of high school age, it's never too early to start looking ahead.

Regards,

Patrick Sweeney, Ed.D
Superintendent