Blue Springs School District

Course # HS2100
1 credit hour | Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

Credit Type: Practical Art/Science/Math/Elective

In Computer Science Essentials, students will use visual, block-based programming and seamlessly transition to text-based programming with languages such as Python® to create apps and develop websites and learn how to make computers work together to put their design into practice.  They will apply computational thinking practices, build their vocabulary, and collaborate just as computer professionals do to create products that address topics and problems important to them.    

Course # HS2101
1 credit hour | Grades 10, 11, 12 | Honor Point

Credit Type: Practical Art/Science/Math/Elective
Fees: AP Examination Fee $99
Prerequisite: Computer Science Essentials or Teacher Approval

Using Python® as a primary tool and incorporating multiple platforms and languages for computation, this course aims to develop the in-demand computer science skills critical to thrive in any of todays and tomorrow’s careers. The course promotes computational thinking and coding fundamentals and introduces computational tools that foster creativity. It aims to build students’ awareness of the tremendous demand for computer scientists and those who have computational thinking skills and engages students to consider issues raised by the impact of computing on society.  One (1) honor point will be earned for each semester successfully completed. Students may have the opportunity to complete a senior semester internship with the Oracle Scholars program or other industry partners.  First-year seniors are considered with available space.
 

Course # HS2104
1 credit hour | Grades 10, 11, 12

Credit Type: Practical Art/Science/Math/Elective
Prerequisite: Computer Science Essentials or Teacher Approval

Students will be introduced to the tools and concepts of cybersecurity and encouraged to create solutions that allow people to share computing resources while protecting their privacy. Students solve problems by understanding and closing these vulnerabilities.  This course raises students’ knowledge of and commitment to ethical computing behavior.  It also aims to develop students’ skills as consumers, friends, citizens, and employees who can effectively contribute to communities with a dependable cyber-infrastructure that moves and processes information safely.  
 

Course # HS2102
1 credit hour | Grades 11, 12 | Honor Point

Credit Type: Practical Art/Science/Math/Elective
Fees: AP Examination Fee $99
Prerequisite: AP Computer Science Principles

AP Computer Science A covers topics typically found in a college-level first course in computer science and provides solid preparation for the AP Computer Science A examination. The course emphasis is on procedural abstraction, data abstraction, object-oriented design and programming methodology using the Java programming language, and the use of algorithms and data structures.  One (1) honor point will be earned for each semester successfully completed. Students may have the opportunity to complete a senior semester internship with the Oracle Scholars program or other industry partners.  First-year seniors are considered with available space.
 

Course # HS6687H
1 credit hour | Grade 12 | Honor Point

Credit Type: Practical Art
Prerequisite: Students must have completed two additional courses in a PLTW pathway (biomedical, computer science, or engineering)

PLTW Computer Science Capstone offers students from all PLTW disciplines (biomedical, computer science, and engineering) the opportunity to work in a collaborative environment to identify and solve a real-world problem based on student interests.  Students will complete research, design, and test a prototype or model of the solution, evaluate the results, and analyze data - documenting each step along the way. This course will emphasize problem-solving, collaboration, and professional communication.