High School Computer Science and Programming Intro Workshop

• In-Depth Understanding of the Fundamental Ideas and Concepts in Computer Science and Programming
• An Overview and Solid Background in Major Areas of Computer Science
• Learning Programming in Snap! Programming Tool from UC-Berkeley
• Learning Programming in Scratch Programming Tool from MIT
• Background Knowledge and Experience to Start Learning New Programming Languages
• Improved Ability in Critical Thinking, Logical Reasoning, Modeling, Design, Planning & Implementation

Highlights

• Introduction toComputer Science and Programming Workshop
• Designed for High School and Junior High Students
• Trains and Encourages Critical Thinking, Logical Reasoning, andTechnology Orientationin Young Adults
• Workshop:The Majority of Each Class Spent onExercisesDone by the Student
• Covers Fundamental Topics in Computer Science and Programming, Major Areas of Computer Science,Including:
  • Science and Engineering
    • Real-WorldModeling
    • Physics Simulations
    • From Model toImplementation
    • Reverse Engineering and Tinkering
  • Math and Computer Science Theory
    • Data Structures:Trees,Graphs
    • Algorithms:Shortest Path
  • Artificial Intelligence
    • Propositional Logic
  • Networks
    • Internet Protocols
  • Programming Languages
    • Functions
    • Object-Oriented Programming
  • And More
• Not a Course about a Programming Language, Rather about Fundamental Ideas in Computer Science and Programming
• Exercises Aid Learning, UsingUC-Berkeley'sSnap! Programming Tool (Designed for Kids andYoung Adults)
• 15-Week Course (26Lectures)
• 8+ Hours of Video Instruction, PlusMany More Hours SpentDoing theExerciseson Your Own
• Accompanying Web Page for Each Class
• IncludesLectureSlides, Links to Exercises on theWeb Page
• Learning Fundamental Ideas in Computer Science and Programming Will Set Students up to Go and Learn Any Programming Language
• No Prior Knowledge or Experience in Computer Science or ProgrammingNecessary

Overview

This newclass is designed specifically for high school and junior high students who want to get a head start learning about what Computer Science and Programming areabout. This course isn't about learning a specific programming tool or language. Rather, it is designed tohelp them strengthen their critical thinking and logical reasoning faculties, as well as give them the depth of understanding infundamental concepts inComputer Science and programming, so that they could later onget started with any programminglanguage or technology project.

A solid overview and key concepts in many areas ofComputer Science are covered by this course, including BigIdeas inScience and Engineering (Real-WorldModeling, Physics Simulations, From Model toImplementation,Reverse Engineering and Tinkering),Computer Science and Math Theory (Lists, Sets, Data Structures such as Dictionaries, Trees,Graphs,Algorithms such asShortest Path), Programming Languages (Functions,Object-Oriented Programming), Artificial Intelligence (Propositional Logic), and Networking (Internet Protocols), and more.

I teach this class to some Living Wisdom School high school students in Nevada City, CA, as an alternate Math course.

This is a 15-week workshopcourse. Each class (week)'s lecture takes about 90-120 min. on average. Each class includes some lecture with slides, but the majority of the time the students will be working onprogramming or designexercises on their own computer.After each exercise the students can resume the lecture video to check their work against the teacher's.

The majority of theexercises included in each class are done in Snap!--the programming tool from UC-Berkeley. Students can share their work and view programs done by other students around the world.

Perquisites and Requirements

• No Prior Knowledge or Experience in Programming Needed
• Exercises Only Require a Computer with Internet Access

Sections

• Intro: Introduction to this workshop series
• Week 1: Lists, Sets
• Week 2:A Snappy Snap! Primer
• Week 3:Concurrent and Event-Based Programming
• Week 4:Revising the List Example: Under the Hood
• Week 5:Modeling, Design, Implementation: Traffic Light, ATM
• Week 6:Implementing the Traffic Light Simulation
• Week 7:Functions
• Week 8:Binary Search Trees
• Week 9:Values, Types, Dictionaries
• Week 10:Graphs, An Algorithm
• Week 11:Implementing a Graph Algorithm
• Week 12:Propositional Logic, "Have I Lied?" Game
• Week 13:State Machines
• Week 14:Internet Protocols
• Outro: Next Steps