Computer Science and Engineering

Computer Science and Engineering courses are designed to prepare students to be active participants in the technology-filled world they will be immersed in when they graduate. They will learn lifelong skills, develop a more resilient, problem-solving mindset, and become creators, not just consumers, of technology. Courses are designed for every student and not just those who see themselves as computer scientists and engineers. Students will experiment with coding, design products to raise awareness about community issues, learn how to solve complex problems through design thinking, and program robots and other physical devices to test hypotheses.

Middle School

Middle School students will take a trimester course in computer science as well as engineering during grade 6, grade 7, and grade 8. These courses are designed to support thematic studies in each grade.

Computer Science 6

Students in Computer Science 6 will explore how computing innovations like calculators, iPads, and even video games have been created to meet human needs and solve challenging problems. Students will work collaboratively to test, edit, and build code for programs that respond to perceptions such as “I’m hungry,” “I’m lonely,” and “I’m bored.” Students do not need any prior experience with coding to enter this course.

Computer Science 7

Students in Computer Science 7 will examine the ways in which computer programs can help them to learn about their environment and community. How can we use technology to collect data about the world around us? And how can computer programs help us to learn from data and make necessary changes? Students will also examine how computer programs can have both positive and negative impacts on communities.

Engineering 6

Students will use their creativity and ingenuity to solve challenging problems. Working through the engineering design cycle, students learn how to create and iterate solutions that adapt, survive, and thrive. This course is hands-on, so get ready to design, build, test, analyze, and iterate.

Engineering 7

What does home mean to product designers, architects, and engineers? Students will learn to use empathy in understanding others’ wants and needs to create harmonious spaces for the people who use them and the world around them. In addition to working through the engineering design cycle, students will learn to present and critique their designs.

Computer Science and Engineering 8

Robotics is often seen as the pinnacle of engineering. Robots embody humans’ fascination with creation and the tension between our need to shape the world and to learn from it. The 21st century is witnessing the evolution of new robotic organisms that will change the world as we know it. Robotics is the amalgamation of many forms of engineering— mechanical, electrical, and software. Students will learn how to integrate these fields to create, transform, and destroy Lego robots in order to accomplish challenging feats. Students will also explore some of the ethical implications of their creations.

Upper School

Upper School students who have an interest in computer science, engineering, and technology are able to choose semester-long courses that provide them with opportunities to learn and practice the skills needed to understand, use, and build new engineering and computer science technologies.

Intro to Programming: Solving Multidisciplinary Problems with

Computational Methods (Fall, ½ credit) This project-based course will serve as an introduction to programming and computational thinking skills through problem-solving in computer science. Using Python, students will learn the basic programming concepts of variables and assignments, Boolean statements, loops and iteration, and functions and classes. Throughout the semester, students will break down a problem into pieces, build a sequence of steps to solve the problem, and translate those steps into a digital or technological solution. Students will work both independently and collaboratively in groups, provide feedback to each other, and discuss ethical questions related to current topics in computer science and the world. For the final project, students will choose a real world issue, create a video game based on their interest, and leverage the power of games to educate users about the issue. The course is suited for students who wish to gain exposure to computational methods, coding, and other tools of computer science, as well as those who wish to take their skills in these areas to a new level and apply them.

Programming for Scientists and Engineers (Spring, ½ credit) This fast-paced course will teach students how to create object-oriented programs using Python. Students will start by learning to work with an integrated development environment (IDE) that provides the user interface to write, build, debug, maintain, and share code. With this foundation, students will create simple procedural programs, such as a quadratic equation solver, then create more advanced mathematical models, including a Monte Carlo simulation. Students will put their creative talents to work by designing unique arcade-style video games using object-oriented programming techniques. Students will also experiment with other programming languages, including physical programming like C# to program microcontrollers. This course is designed for students who have little or no programming knowledge, but who are eager to learn.

Engineering I (Spring, ½ credit) This course is designed to teach students to develop and use tools and models to solve complex problems. With project management and design thinking as a foundational skill, students will use Excel and programming macros to build complex statistical models to solve real-world problems. In CAD, students will use Finite Element Analysis and Topology studies to design and optimize mechanical parts. Using physical programming and Arduinos students, will design and build electrical components and scientific testing apparatuses. With the skills, knowledge, and experience of this class, students will be unafraid to tackle any engineering-related challenge.

Design and Fabrication (Fall, ½ credit) This course teaches the tools students need to be successful, creative designers. Students learn advanced modeling techniques using the industry-standard CAD software Solidworks. Students will learn to create, model, and iterate designs. Using CAD as a virtual prototyping tool, students will create complex designs more precisely and efficiently. (Students may choose to take the Solidworks associate’s exam, an industry standard used in many university programs.) Using laser cutters, 3D printers, CNC routers, and waterjets, students will learn how to transform their virtual models into tangible objects. Students will also learn the basic use and safety of other tools in the lab, including bandsaws, miter saws, grinders, hand tools, and milling machines.