1. Computer Science for the Young Mind By: Paul Im Computer Systems 08-09 Period 3

2. Abstract Limited efforts to educate younger students Goal: to implement computer programming to educate elementary and/or middle school students in math and science. Figure 1: Java logowww.lucidsys.net/lucid_services. htmlwww.lucidsys.net/lucid_services. html

3. Introduction Every day, technology becomes more advanced and accessible  Little progress made at elementary school level Scope: effective usage of teaching methods and basic programming  Most likely choice for programming language: Scratch Final project: improved curriculum  Expected results: students learn computer programming

4. Background Computer programming-uses conventional languages for high school Scratch-kid friendly programming language Figure 2: Unofficial Scratch Profile Image http://fertanish.blogspot.com/2007/05/scratch.html

5. Background cont’d Programs like this done before  2007: Gregory Gates at Cardinal Forest Elementary Figure 3: Cardinal Forest Elementary School computer lab

6. Development Auxiliary research  Class design  Indirect teaching Effectiveness and efficiency Projects  Rectangle challenge  Ice Skating Rink

7. Procedures Curriculum-expanding on predecessor’s ideas  Improvements required Videos with Scratch – Created and used as teaching aids Figure 4: Scratch students at Cardinal Forest Elementary http://www.fcps.edu/CardinalForestES/pages/Scratch/Scratch%20Gallery/html/0.htm

8. Procedures cont’d Considered teleconferencing – Eventually abandoned Figure 5: Random Promotional Picture

9. Timeline October: begincurriculumJune: end ofcourseNovember: usedScratch tocreate programsMay: final projects December: helped withdevelopment of KittyRectangle projectJanuary: helped withdevelopment of IceSkating Rink project

10. Problems Incompatibility  Latest Scratch for Linux: 1.2 Required: 1.3  Few formal sources for Scratch Transportation  No car Timing  Different period

11. Sample Algorithm Figure 6: Prototype Tutorial Program

12. Expected Results Progress in learning – Subjective Aspirations for program’s future – Last for years Figure 7: Promotional Image for Second Project

13. Conclusion Computer as medium – Teaching Students – The sooner, the better How young is too young?