Intro to Computer Science – Instructor Scott Lusk
This course introduces high school students to key computer science concepts, including programming, networking, databases, AI, and cybersecurity. Students will gain a foundational understanding through interactive lessons, hands-on coding, and real-world applications. They will also explore career opportunities in technology.
The goal is to provide students with a broad introduction to computer science, equipping them with basic coding skills and an understanding of how digital systems function. No prior experience is required, just curiosity and a willingness to learn. Students will also explore different career paths, such as cybersecurity, AI, software development, and cloud computing. Students should expect to spend about 3 hours outside of in person instruction time on this course.
For extra credit, students can participate in hands-on learning days, hackathons, and specialized labs focusing on a variety of topics. These interactive sessions provide practical experience and deeper insights into key topics. These events will be held outside of normal Academy hours.
Required Course Materials:
- Everything You Need to Ace Computer Science and Coding in One Big Fat Notebook: The Complete Middle School Study Guide (ISBN-10: 1523502770, ISBN-13: 978-1523502776)
- Computer with internet access. Chromebooks should be sufficient, but it must have a newer browser installed (Google Chrome recommended) and have a good enough Internet connection to complete assignments in a lab environment. This is crucial because there is a lot of work they will do on the computer from home.
- 1 inch 3 ring binder
- 1 notebook
- Highlighter