FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

Did you know there is a specific formula for creating the world’s most secure password? Students in Amy Wright’s Cybersecurity course could tell you the formula is simple. Pick a phrase with at least six words in it, like “Jack and Jill went up the hill’” for example. Next, take the first letter of each word in the phrase. If your phrase contains a number, turn it into a numeral, if it does not, add a special character to the beginning of the phrase. Now, make two of the

Engineering Design

▸ 1 CREDIT

Why is “how” essential to problem-solving?

Students in this trimester course will be introduced to engineering design and process. This course is geared toward students interested in going further with engineering and a hands-on application of engineering design, problem-solving, critical thinking, ethics, and management. Engineering is concerned with the implementation of a solution to a practical problem. A scientist may ask “why?” and proceed to research the answer to the question. By contrast, engineers want to know how to solve a problem and how to implement that solution. Students will work individually and together to solve problems in creative ways.

Introduction To Artificial Intelligence

▸ 1 CREDIT letters in your phase uppercase. Add a colon or an equal sign at the end of your new password. You now have a base password; for every website that you register with, you will add a few identifying letters to your password. Your new password will read like absolute mumbo jumbo — but isn’t that the goal?

Can machines think, and if they can, should they make decisions for us? From autonomous vehicles to recommended videos, machines make decisions for us, but does this mean they should?

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In this course, students study the ins and outs of cyber attacks and hacks, explore how to become a secure user, and learn how improving internet security is an act of public service. Ms. Wright explains that because students are learning things that are potentially dangerous to a cyber network, there is a strong emphasis on ethics and trust in the course material. Like Spiderman’s most popular adage states: “With great power, comes great responsibility.”

In this course, students will learn what artificial intelligence (AI) is, how it is currently used, and how it could be used in the future. They will be introduced to machine learning, deep learning, and neural networks and how they already make decisions in daily life. Students will be taught the history of AI, how it is used today, and delve into the future of AI and its many possible applications while exploring issues and concerns surrounding AI. Students will experiment with numerous AI applications, and do some basic programming of an artificially intelligent system.

IOT: INTERNET OF THINGS

▸ 1 CREDIT; GRADES 10, 11, 12

How is the Internet of Things changing the way we live our day-to-day lives and impacting our communities?

Have you ever wished Alexa would understand you better? Have you ever wondered about the science behind tap-andgo technologies like Apple Pay? Internet-connected devices are fundamentally changing our lives and the world around us. In this course, students will study the “things” that make up the IoT. They will explore how each is connected to one another, how the IoT communicates, and how data is stored and secured. Students will design and build their own prototypes using sensors and actuating technology and practice IoT programming using microcomputers such as Arduino or Raspberry Pi.

Web Design And Development

▸ 1 CREDIT

How can the World Wide Web be used as a platform for creativity and self-expression?

The World Wide Web offers each of us a space for creativity, self-expression, and innovation. In this course, students will learn the fundamentals of web development including accessible design, storing and collecting data, and hosting a website. Students will build a basic website using HTML and CSS and then dive deeper by incorporating JavaScript code to make web design interactive. This project-based course will enable students to design and develop original websites from the ground up.

Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles

▸ 3 CREDITS; GRADES 10, 11, 12, PG ONLY; PREREQUISITE: PROGRAMMING RECOMMENDED

What are the central ideas of computer science that explain how computing has changed the world?

AP Computer Science Principles is a rigorous, engaging, and approachable course that explores many of the foundational ideas of computing so all students understand how these concepts are transforming the world in which we live. Using programming languages and applications, students will solve computational problems and create computational artifacts such as an app or a web page. Students will also develop effective leadership and collaboration skills by working individually and in groups. Assigned activities will allow students to creatively solve problems from many disciplines and discuss and write about the importance of these problems and their impacts on the world, both locally and globally. All students are required to take the AP exam at the end of the year.

Advanced Placement Computer Science A

▸ 3 CREDITS; PREREQUISITE: 93 IN ADVANCED PROGRAMMING OR 85 IN AP CS PRINCIPLES

What computer programming concepts and skills must I acquire in order to earn university credit for an introductory computer science course?

AP Computer Science A is an introduction to Java programming that allows qualified students the possibility of earning university credit for an introductory computer science class. Students will learn logic, syntax, methods, and data structures and develop functional, readable, and reusable computer programs that solve specific problems effectively and efficiently. Students will analyze algorithms and participate in pair-programming activities that facilitate an appreciation for the best programming practices and ethical computing behaviors that underpin computer science. Students who take this college-level course are required to take the AP exam in May.