COMPUTER SCIENCE An understanding of computational thinking and the fundamental principles of computer science are becoming more and more valued across all disciplines. Colleges, universities and the industries they feed note the necessity of being conversant with these practices in all fields. WMA is committed to the design and implementation of a program that provides grounding in these skills for all students, and is also a gateway for those who wish to pursue computer science in more depth. The Exploring CS series of electives develops the computational thinking skills that are applicable in any discipline. This suite of courses encompasses a comprehensive set of inquiry-based lessons, which use a variety of tools and platforms. A major aim of these courses is to attract students who might not think of themselves as “typical” candidates for computer science and allow them to explore project-based lessons that emphasize writing, communication, collaboration and creativity. Grade 9 Options CS: Exploring Web Design CS: Exploring/Using Big Data
Grade 10 Options CS Term Electives Java Programming - online Video Game Design
CS: EXPLORING WEB DESIGN
Term
Level: Introductory, open to Grades 9 through PG.
Students take the role of developer as they design a web page while exploring issues of social responsibility. They plan and code their webpages using a variety of tools and collaborate with their peers to ensure usability and relevance. Students will also explore programming as they design, code, test and execute a program that corresponds to a set of expectations. They will use the Scratch (MIT Media Lab) visual programming tool to develop understanding of the logical processes of programming which are applicable across computer languages. As the student designers work through all concepts, they will apply the fundamental notions of Human Computer Interactions and algorithmic problemsolving techniques.
CS: EXPLORING & USING BIG DATA
Term
Level: Introductory, open to Grades 9 through PG.
Students explore how computing has facilitated new methods of managing and interpreting data. Students will review the connections between mathematics and computer science. They will use computers to translate, process and visualize data in order to find patterns and test hypotheses; discuss appropriate methods for data collection and aggregation of data necessary to support making a case or facilitating a discovery; examine what constitutes a good survey and create one for a personalized study. Students will work with a variety of large data sets that illustrate how widespread access to data and information facilitates identification of problems. Students will apply spreadsheet analysis and learn the fundamentals of the popular data science coding language "R" for organization and analysis of datasets.
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Grade 11 Options Java Programming - online Video Game Design AP Comp. Science A - online
Grade 12 & PG Options AP Computer Science A - online Video Game Design
VIDEO GAME DESIGN Level: Open to grades 10-PG, Grade 9 with permission Prerequisite: previous Computer Science course
This full year Computer Science course will guide students through the process of learning fundamental principles of computer coding through the lense of video game development. Students will engage in asset creation (digital art and music features), line code implementation and construction of virtual worlds with interactive and dynamic parameters. In this modern age, video games are becoming ubiquitous in everyday interactions. They represent avenues for marketing of products, forums for social interaction, arenas for competition and recreational relaxation for the casual gamer. This course will not only foster the skills of the student to engage in the development of products in this industry, but will also provide them with exposure to the broad scope of influence that “gamification” has on the modern consumer landscape. Ultimately, the goal of this course will be to produce a video game application that is enjoyable, marketable and potentially “viral” in the vast realm of virtual entertainment.
JAVA PROGRAMMING 15-week course (1.5 credits) Online*** Level: Grade 10 and above. Prerequisite: One year of Algebra and department permission
This course is an introduction to programming and is designed for students with little or no programming experience. Students are exposed to the basic concepts and elements of programming through the Alice and Java programming languages which are object-oriented programs. Alice is a highly-visual and friendly environment that is used to introduce students to programming and Java is an industry standard program. Students will strengthen their computational thinking skills as they gain experience breaking down
