At the elementary level, we fuse computer science foundational skills with existing curricular content, technology tools, concepts, and resources in grades PreK-6th. We make authentic learning so intrinsically engaging that students don’t want to leave school. Our computer science initiative strengthens our charge to purposefully construct lessons that bring STEM concepts into our learning spaces. It helps every child develop essential skills such as logic, cause and effect, reasoning, problem solving, critical thinking, and executive functions, as well as allow ample room for creativity and collaboration. These are all skills teachers, employers, and parents strive to foster.

 

In the Fall of 2022, new courses have been added to our Course Offering Handbook.  These courses include 7th grade Computer Science and Honors Computer Science Python Fundamentals. In 9-12, Principles of Computer Science, AP Computer Science A (Java), and AP Computer Science Principles will be offered.

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Bringing Computer Science into our elementary classrooms strengthens our Iowa Core Standards, the CSTA Standards, as well as fosters growth in the Iowa Core 21st Century Technology Literacy Concepts and Skills. Computer Science is an important subject that all students should be exposed to throughout their career as a learner because it teaches resilience, sparks curiosity, engages and develops students’ abilities to solve problems while learning through failures.

Our Computer Science curriculum infusion includes an emphasis on both unplugged and plugged concepts as well as activities centered around the five overarching CSTA concepts: Computing Systems, Networking and Internet, Data and Analysis, Algorithms and Programming, and Impacts of Computing Systems. All five concepts with respective standards are effectively rolled out where appropriate in each of the CSTA grade bands - (K-2), (3-5), (6-8), and (9-12). While ALL 5 CSTA concepts are important and ALL are covered throughout the year, the Algorithms and Programming strand gets students very excited because of the variety of physical computing devices we have available. Learning programming empowers kids. It addresses multi-disciplinary standards in language learning, mathematics, science, and even the arts. Additionally, immersing students in computer science supports social/emotional learning (SEL). Coding puts children in control of the computer and through experimentation builds mastery in sequencing skills, counting, problem solving, logical thinking, cause and effect, and critical thinking. We want our students to be code literate so they can develop grit, a growth mindset, embrace “failing forward” and be engaged contributors and active creators in our digital society.