The course is designed to introduce the student to the computer approach to solving problems by introducing the Java and Python programming languages for students with limited programming experience. The students will get hands-on experience with the computer from the earliest stages of the course. They will work on a wide variety of problems, many of which will reflect the students' backgrounds and interests, as they cover the topics in the course outline.

Covered Java Topics
Unit 1: Variables, Input & Output, Data Types, Number Calculations, Casting
Unit 2: The String Class, Objects, Methods, Math Functions
Unit 3: if Statements, else Statements, Truth Tables, DeMorgan’s Laws
Unit 4: While Loops, For Loops, Algorithms

Covered Python Topics
Unit 1: Beginning in Computer Science: Hardware and Software Basics, Input and Output, Binary
Unit 2: Number Calculations and Data: Variables, Functions, Modular Division, Random Numbers, Working with Big Data
Unit 3: Making Decisions: Booleans, Conditional Statements, Algorithms
Unit 4: Repetition with Loops: While Loops, For Loops, Iteration
Unit 5: Graphics: Color, Shapes, Coordinates

Students will have direct instruction up to 2 hours per week. Direct instruction time will include hands-on activities. They will have homework assignments to turn in for feedback.

Equipment: Personal laptop for each class and a Google account.

Resources: Project STEM Curriculum, Google Classroom, repl.it. All resources are web-based applications.