Computer Science & Engineering
The GPS Computer Science & Engineering Department engages students in collaborative problem solving through an introductory Computer Science and Engineering curriculum. This is achieved through required courses in the 6th and 7th grades. Additionally, elective classes are offered in grades 8-12 to allow interested students to further explore topics such as web design, app programming, engineering, and AP Computer Science A.
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2 Semesters (1 Credit)
Grade Levels: 9-12
Prerequisites: Algebra I
Engineering follows the Engineering for US All (e4usa) curriculum, which is designed to empower, engage, and excite students to use what they know and find what they are passionate about to take control and boldly influence the world. Students gain awareness of engineering in everyday life and the diversity of engineers. Students engage by practicing engineering design at multiple scales and considering local and global engineering design challenges. They design and create solutions in authentic, student-centered product development challenges. Students will work in teams and will contribute equitably to the design, construction, and testing of an engineered solution to each challenge.
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1 Semesters (0.5 Credits)
Grade Levels: 10-12
Prerequisites: Intro to Engineering
Building on the skills learned in Intro to Engineering, students will design and execute an engineering project solving a problem of their own choosing. Students will engage in collaborative hands-on exploration using the Engineering Design Process to investigate, plan, create, evaluate, and redesign the solution to their problem. Students will be connected with mentors from the community who have subject-area knowledge and will provide support and guidance for the student's project. Each phase of the process will be documented through a report, and the semester will culminate with a presentation of their process and solution. Students will align knowledge, skills, capabilities, and critical thinking skills into student driven inquiry-based learning.
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1 Semester (0.5 Credits)
Grade Levels: 9-12
Prerequisites: None
Begin to explore the world of computer programming in this entry level course. Students will gradually build their knowledge of basic programming concepts by creating 3D objects in OpenSCAD to print on the 3D printer, building and programming circuits with Arduino, creating apps for mobile phones, and finally delving into the syntax of the Java programming language. This course is recommended as a precursor for AP Computer Science A.
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1 Semester (0.5 Credits)
Grade Levels: 9-12
Prerequisites: None
Web Programming I (formerly Web Design I) will focus on techniques of planning, designing, and implementing effective websites from scratch. Students will learn to build web pages with formatted text, images, tables, links, and frames with HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets). This project-based course will feature web pages about students' interests and activities, as well as websites created for clients in our local community.
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1 Semester (0.5 Credits)
Grade Levels: 9-12
Prerequisites: Web Design I or Web Programming I
This second Web Programming course will focus on expanding skills learned in Web Programming I. In this class, students will explore more advanced web programming languages, such as Javascript, and learn to use responsive web design techniques to render their websites appropriately on any device. As with Web Programming I, this is a project-based course with a focus on creating sites for community groups.
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2 Semesters (1 Credit)
Grade Levels: 9-12
Prerequisites: Algebra I
AP Computer Science Principles is a fun, exploratory course that focuses on the broader aspects of computing through studying five Big Ideas: Creative Development, Algorithms and Programming, Computer Systems and Networks, and Impact of Computing. Students learn to design and evaluate solutions and to apply computer science to solve problems through the development of algorithms and programs. They incorporate abstraction into programs and use data to build knowledge. Students also explain how computing innovations and computing systems (including the internet) work, explore the potential impacts of these innovations, and contribute to a computing culture that is collaborative and ethical.
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2 Semesters (1 Credit)
Grade Levels: 10-12, 9 with instructor approval
Prerequisites: Geometry
AP Computer Science A is equivalent to a first-semester, college-level CS1 course in computer science using the Java programming language. The course introduces students to computer science with fundamental topics that include problem solving, design strategies and methodologies, organization of data (data structures), approaches to processing data (algorithms), analysis of potential solutions, and the ethical and social implications of computing.
Recommended criteria: A love of problem-solving, logic, and a desire to understand how things work are essential for success. Students wishing to pursue an Engineering or Computer Science career in the future will find this course especially helpful in building an essential foundation of programming skills.
Jill PieritzSTEM Department Coordinator, Computer Science and Math Teacher(423) 634-7638
