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Exploring Computer Science

This course walks students through the basics of coding with HTML, CSS and Python alongside other topics such as digital citizenship, the internet, and data. Intended for students between grades 6 and 12. They learn Python by using the micro:bit.

Semester course · 101 lessons · 6 units

  • HTML
  • CSS
  • Robotics
  • Pathway Courses
  • Voyage
  • Semester
  • 6th grade
  • 7th grade
  • 8th grade
  • 9th grade
  • 10th grade
  • 11th grade
  • 12th grade

Course Summary

The curriculum includes coding exercises and practice on the Skill Struck platform interspersed with classroom collaboration activities, discussion points, supplemental materials, and unplugged activities. This course walks students through the basics of coding alongside other topics. This integrated approach keeps lessons diverse and students engaged. Students work individually and as teams to build innovative and competitive coding solutions.

Course Outline

    1. HTML Basics Learn the basic terminology and ideas behind HTML in this introductory lesson.
    2. Heading Tags This lesson will teach you how to use Headers to show hierarchy and style in your web pages.
    3. Text Colors Looking to spruce up your site with some color? This lesson focuses on how you can change the color of your text.
    4. Network Topologies Learn how different layouts of networks can help information move more efficiently
    5. Addressing Learn how addressing works in the internet.
    6. Fonts Font families and sizes are the main topic in this lesson. There are many different combinations so have fun with it!
    7. HTML as a Language This introductory lesson addresses programming languages and a few of them that you will encounter in this unit and the next.
    8. HTML Structure Just like building a house, HTML needs to have structure. This lesson covers the basics of how to structure your HTML files.
    9. Background Color Background colors are a great way to show distinct sections in your site. This lesson covers the basics of how you can utilize this feature.
    10. HTML Title Titles are the cherry on top of every website. This lesson will cover how you can add this to your website for an even more personalized feel.
    11. Copyright Learn what we can and cannot use on the internet and why.
    12. Paragraphs Paragraph tags are one of the most common tags that you will use in HTML. Follow this lesson closely!
    13. Breaks and Dividers Break tags are one of the unique tags in HTML. This lesson covers how to use them and why they are different than most.
    14. Programming Languages
    15. Ordered Lists Lists are a great way to display multiple items. This lesson covers how to create numbered lists.
    16. Unordered Lists Similar to the previous lesson, this lesson covers how you can create a bulleted list.
    17. Text Align This lesson covers how you can align your text to the left, right and center of your website.

    1. Accessibility Learn about how we can make computer programs more accessible.
    2. Links This lesson discusses HTML links and how you can connect your users to external sites or internal pages on your website.
    3. Images Another very useful and common element in a website is the image tag. Check this lesson out to learn how to use them.
    4. Buttons/Event Listeners: onclick Finally some interaction! onclick is a great way to interact with your users.
    5. Data Compression Overview Learn what data compression is and how it is used.
    6. Lossless Text Compression Learn how we can compress text files in a way that they can be perfectly recreated.
    7. Background Image Background Images can be a great way to add more vibrance and texture to your website.
    8. Videos Videos are one of the most popular media types in the world right now. This lesson will teach you how to utilize this important feature.
    9. Image Link Image links can be a cool, useful way to let your users interact with your site.
    10. The Digital Divide
    11. Introduction to CSS Learn how to get started with the CSS language!
    12. Connecting Your CSS File to an HTML File Learn how to connect your CSS file to an HTML file.
    13. Borders Learn to add a stylized border to an HTML element! Including images, shapes, and buttons. Customize the border color, width or style.
    14. Classes As your page grows, classes make it easy to assign CSS to certain elements in your site. This lesson tackles how to use classes and their importance.

    1. Binary Learn the basics of binary--why it exists and how the computer uses it to communicate information.
    2. Representing Numbers with Binary Learn how to convert information into binary and back.
    3. Representing Text with Binary Learn how we use binary to represent text.
    4. Representing Images with Binary Learn how to use binary to represent images
    5. Data
    6. Bigger Bytes Learn about the different sizes of data.

    1. Getting to Know the micro:bit Robot
    2. AI, Machine Learning, & Automation Learn how artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automation are affecting your world and potential changes in the future.
    3. Download to the micro:bit
    4. Show Numbers and Strings
    5. Encryption Learn how encryption helps make things more secure.
    6. Show Images
    7. Forever Function
    8. Types of Threat Learn about the different approaches criminals might take cause problems.
    9. Buttons and If Statements
    10. Computer Innovations Explore how different computer innovations have affected our everyday lives.
    11. Legal and Ethical Concerns in Innovations Learn about legal and ethical concerns surrounding computing innovations.
    12. Elif/Else Statements
    13. Repeat with a For Loop
    14. Personal Data Learn how your personal data is available and could be without you knowing it!
    15. Variables and Temperature
    16. Temperature Conditionals
    17. Movement
    18. Music
    19. Music Advanced
    20. Light
    21. Compass

    1. Team Members in Tech
    2. Software Engineer Learn what it means to be a software engineer!
    3. Computer Systems Manager Learn what it means to be a computer systems manager!
    4. Database Administrator Learn what it means to be a database administrator!
    5. Network Analyst Learn what it means to be a network analyst!
    6. Video Game Developer Learn what it means to be a video game developer!
    7. Bioinformatic Scientist Learn what it means to be a bioinformatic scientist
    8. Drone Software Engineer Learn what it means to be a drone software engineer!
    9. Computer Science Teacher Learn what it means to be a computer science teacher!
    10. Virtual Reality Specialist Learn what it means to be a virtual reality specialist!
    11. Hardware Engineer Learn what it means to be a hardware engineer!
    12. Web Developer Learn what it means to be a web developer!
    13. Information Security Analyst Learn what it means to be an information security analyst!
    14. Health Information Technician Learn what it means to be a health information technician!
    15. Data Scientist Learn what it means to be a data scientist!
    16. Software Tester Learn what it means to be a software tester!
    17. App Developer Learn what it means to be an app developer!
    18. Artificial Intelligence Specialist Learn what it means to be an Artificial Intelligence Specialist!
    19. Ethical Hacker Learn what it means to be an ethical hacker!
    20. Web Designer Learn what it means to be a web designer!
    21. Agricultural Engineer Learn what it means to be an agricultural engineer!
    22. Marine Scientist
    23. Food Scientist
    24. Ecologist Learn what it's like to be a ecologist!
    25. Climatologist
    26. Biometrician
    27. Remote Sensing Specialist

    1. HTML Project # 1 Basic Web Practice This is the basic web practice project.
    2. HTML Project # 2: History Website This is the history website project.
    3. HTML Project # 3: Success Skills This is the success skills project.
    4. HTML Project # 4: Favorite Holiday This is the favorite holiday project.
    5. HTML Project # 5: Favorite Movie This is the favorite movie project.
    6. HTML Project # 6: Book Report This is the book report project.
    7. HTML Project # 7: Historical Figure Report This is the historical figure report project.
    8. HTML Project # 8: Music History This is the music history project.
    9. HTML Project # 9: Cereal Website This is the cereal website project.
    10. HTML Project # 10: Olympics This is the olympics project.
    11. HTML Project #11: Color Check-In
    12. HTML Project #12: Identity
    13. HTML Project #13: A Calming Place
    14. HTML Project #14: Goal Setting
    15. HTML Project #15: Gratitude Journal
    16. HTML Project #16: Zones of Regulation

Standard Alignment

CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards

  • 1B-AP-15
  • 2-AP-10
  • 2-AP-11
  • 2-AP-12
  • 2-AP-13
  • 2-AP-14
  • 2-AP-15
  • 2-AP-16
  • 2-AP-17
  • 2-AP-18
  • 2-AP-19
  • 2-CS-01
  • 2-CS-02
  • 2-CS-03
  • 2-DA-07
  • 2-DA-08
  • 2-DA-09
  • 2-IC-20
  • 2-IC-21
  • 2-IC-22
  • 2-IC-23
  • 2-NI-04
  • 2-NI-05
  • 2-NI-06
  • 3A-AP-13
  • 3A-AP-15
  • 3A-AP-16
  • 3A-AP-17
  • 3A-AP-18
  • 3A-AP-19
  • 3A-AP-20
  • 3A-AP-21
  • 3A-AP-22
  • 3A-AP-23
  • 3A-DA-09
  • 3A-DA-10
  • 3A-DA-11
  • 3A-DA-12
  • 3A-IC-24
  • 3A-IC-25
  • 3A-IC-26
  • 3A-IC-27
  • 3A-IC-28
  • 3A-IC-29
  • 3A-IC-30
  • 3A-NI-04
  • 3A-NI-05
  • 3A-NI-06
  • 3A-NI-07
  • 3B-AP-08
  • 3B-AP-09
  • 3B-AP-10
  • 3B-AP-11
  • 3B-AP-12
  • 3B-AP-13
  • 3B-AP-14
  • 3B-AP-15
  • 3B-AP-16
  • 3B-AP-17
  • 3B-AP-18
  • 3B-AP-19
  • 3B-AP-20
  • 3B-AP-21
  • 3B-AP-22
  • 3B-AP-23
  • 3B-AP-24
  • 3B-DA-05
  • 3B-DA-06
  • 3B-DA-07
  • 3B-IC-25
  • 3B-IC-26
  • 3B-IC-27
  • 3B-IC-28
  • 3B-NI-04

State standards documents

Document Standards Grades
National
2022 Skill Struck Standards Alignment + Correlation Guide CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards · 2022 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Alabama
Alabama Course of Study Digital Literacy and CS Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Alabama Course of Study Digital Literacy and CS Standards K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Arizona
Arizona Computer Science Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Arizona Computer Science Standards K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Arkansas
Arkansas Computer Science and Computing Standards High School Programming + Skill Struck Alignment Arkansas Computer Science and Computing Standards High School Programming · 2023 9-12
Arkansas Computer Science and Computing Standards Middle School Introduction to Coding Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Arkansas Computer Science and Computing Standards Middle School Introduction to Coding Standards · 2023 6-8
California
California K-12 CS Standards + Skill Struck Alignment California K-12 CS Standards K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Georgia
Georgia Standards of Excellence for K-8 Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment Georgia Standards of Excellence for K-8 Computer Science K-2, 3-5, 6-8
Idaho
Idaho Content Standards Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment Idaho Content Standards Computer Science · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Illinois
Illinois Computer Science Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Illinois Computer Science Standards · 2022 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Indiana
Indiana K-12 Computer Science Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Indiana K-12 Computer Science Standards · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Iowa
Iowa Computer Science Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Iowa Computer Science Standards K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Kansas
Kansas CS Standards P-12 + Skill Struck Alignment Kansas CS Standards P-12 · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Kentucky
Kentucky Academic Standards for Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment Kentucky Academic Standards for Computer Science · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Maryland
Maryland K-12 CS Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Maryland K-12 CS Standards · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science Standards · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Michigan
Michigan K-12 Standards Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment Michigan K-12 Standards Computer Science · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Mississippi
Mississippi College and Career Readiness standards for Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment Mississippi College and Career Readiness standards for Computer Science · 2022 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Missouri
Missouri K-12 Computer Science Performance Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Missouri K-12 Computer Science Performance Standards · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Nebraska
Nebraska K-12 Technology Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Nebraska K-12 Technology Standards · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Nevada
Nevada Academic Content Standards for CS + Skill Struck Alignment Nevada Academic Content Standards for CS K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Nevada Academic Content Standards for Integrated Technology + Skill Struck Alignment Nevada Academic Content Standards for Integrated Technology K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Nevada Computer Science Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Nevada Computer Science Standards 9-12
New Jersey
New Jersey Computer Science and Design Thinking Standards + Skill Struck Alignment New Jersey Computer Science and Design Thinking Standards · 2020 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
New York
New York Computer Science and Digital Fluency Learning Standards K-12 + Skill Struck Alignment New York Computer Science and Digital Fluency Learning Standards K-12 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
North Carolina
North Carolina K-12 CS Standards + Skill Struck Alignment North Carolina K-12 CS Standards K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Ohio
Ohio's Learning Standards Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment Ohio's Learning Standards Computer Science · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Academic Standards for Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment Oklahoma Academic Standards for Computer Science K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Rhode Island
Rhode Island's K-12 CS Education Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Rhode Island's K-12 CS Education Standards K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
South Carolina
South Carolina Computer Science and Digital Literacy Standards + Skill Struck Alignment South Carolina Computer Science and Digital Literacy Standards · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8
South Carolina's Computer Science Standards for High School + Skill Struck Alignment South Carolina's Computer Science Standards for High School · 2023 9-12
Tennessee
Tennessee K-12 Computer Science State Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Tennessee K-12 Computer Science State Standards · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Texas
TEKs Skills for CTE + Skill Struck Alignment TEKs Skills for CTE 9-12
TEKs Technology Applications K-8 Standards + Skill Struck Alignment TEKs Technology Applications K-8 Standards K-2, 3-5, 6-8
Utah
Utah 6-12 CS Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Utah 6-12 CS Standards · 2019 6-8, 9-12
Virginia
Virginia K-12 CS Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Virginia K-12 CS Standards · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Washington
Washington K-12 CS State Learning Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Washington K-12 CS State Learning Standards K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Standards for Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment Wisconsin Standards for Computer Science · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Wyoming
Wyoming Computer Science Content Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Wyoming Computer Science Content Standards · 2020 K-2, 3-5, 6-8

Course Project

In this course students will complete challenges that help solidify concepts as they use skills in a variety of ways. In order to complete tasks, students will creatively apply what they've learned by using different approaches to reach a goal. This experience closely follows challenges they would face in a technical interview, allowing them to practice. Some examples of projects: Find the Tens Place, Remove String Section, Leap Year, Factorial, Halloween Candy Count

  • Exploring Computer Science student project: Exploring Computer Science
    Exploring Computer Science
  • Exploring Computer Science student project: Remove String Section
    Remove String Section
  • Exploring Computer Science student project: Exploring Computer Science
    Exploring Computer Science
  • Exploring Computer Science student project: Exploring Computer Science
    Exploring Computer Science
  • Exploring Computer Science student project: Exploring Computer Science
    Exploring Computer Science