1. Computer Science K–8: Building a Strong Foundation
Adrienne Decker
School of Interactive Games & Media
Rochester Institute of Technology
Carl Alphonce
Department of Computer Science & Engineering
University at Buffalo

2. This presentation is on the web
Look for Fall Conference 2012 Page

3. Motivation We know there is a computing pipeline problem
One example (AP Computer Science)
In 2008, 17% of the tests taken in AP CS were taken by women.
But, 55% of the AP exams overall were taken by women
Underrepresented minorities take 11% of the AP CS exams, they take 19% of the overall AP exams.

4. Possible Solution Spark interest earlier in the pipeline
Earlier than high school
Earlier than middle school
Start in Kindergarten

5. Kindergarten?
It’s actually not a new idea, Seymour Papert created the first programming language to be used by children (LOGO) in 1967.
He felt that even children as young as kindergarten could become engaged with programming.

6. Scratch & Scratch Jr Scratch Jr (Pre-K through Grade 2)
Scratch (Ages 8+)
Scratch for educators website:

7. Virtual Manipulatives
The Virtual Manipulatives Library
Ladybug Maze
html?open=activities&from=grade_g_1.html

8. Bee-bots http://www.terrapinlogo.com/bee-bot.php
Simple robot programming to get the bee to spell words

9. Computational Thinking
TeacherResources_2ed-SP-vF.pdf
Learning Experiences centered around computational thinking in K-12 classrooms.
Fully developed lessons with grade level, relation back to the common core standards.

10. Middle School Computer Science
Curriculum for middle school (possibly tech ed class). Gives daily lesson plans and activities for integrating and introducing computing concepts

11. Thinking Myself http://games.thinkingmyself.com/
Computational Thinking lessons through online game interface.
Non-digital versions available here:

12. EToys http://etoysillinois.org/
Lesson plans for using etoys available in the K-8 report

13. Programming Environments (Aimed at younger audiences)
Alice
Scratch

14. Game Creation Environments
GameMaker
Kodu
Greenfoot

15. CSTA K-12 Curriculum
Model curriculum for infusing computing in the K-12 classroom
K–8 learning objectives
Computational Thinking
Collaboration
Computing Practice and Programming
Computers and Communication Devices
Community, Global and Ethical Impacts

16. CSTA K-12 Curriculum
Each objective is further broken down into two levels
Computer Science and Me (K–6)
Integrating basic skills in technology with simple ideas about computational thinking.
Computer Science and Community (6–9)
Using computational thinking as a problem-solving tool.

17. Take a peek at the report at:
K-8 Curriculum Special Issue
8_Building_a_Foundation.pdf
K-12 Curriculum Document
12_CSS.pdf

18. CSTA Website

19. CS Bits & Bytes Newsletter
Logic Exercise 2
Ann has 281 Facebook friends. Sarah has 43 Facebook friends. Trey has more than twice the Facebook friends that Sarah has but less than half the Facebook friends Ann has. Jeff has 15 more Facebook friends than Trey. Deb has 64 fewer Facebook friends than Jeff. If Jan has more Facebook friends than Deb but less than Jeff,
What are the possible numbers of Facebook friends that Jan has? ______________
Class Discussion:
How do you determine who is trustworthy in your real life? How do you determine who is trustworthy online? How are these the same/different?