Enroll in Middle School Coding with Dolphin STEM Academy
INTRODUCTION
Learn all about the technology you use in your day-to-day life and explore how the internet functions through this introduction to coding. Build your knowledge of algorithms, programming constructs, and program design to create your own code. Discover how to solve problems with code while dabbling with Tynker and Python to begin your journey into this exciting field!
Unit 1: Crack the Code!
Got problems? No problem! Computers can be used in many ways to help us solve them, but they’re not the answer to everything. Sometimes good old human ingenuity is the key. We’ll begin by solving some puzzles and exploring a secret computer that might be hiding in your home! Then, we’ll start cracking some code with the help of a little green friend. When we harness the power of algorithms, code, and turtles—yes, turtles! —we can accomplish some really incredible things. Let’s go code!
What will you learn in this unit?
Create algorithms to solve word games and puzzles
Identify the components of a computer system
Define the term algorithm and explain how it applies to computers
Distinguish between problems that are better suited for humans to solve than computers and vice versa
Unit 2: There’s Nothing “Soft” about Software!
Video Are you ready for some more coding fun? Well, get your fingers warmed up because we are going to be practicing our typing skills! Programmers like you need to use keys on the keyboard that some people will never use. We don’t want to go on a scavenger hunt every time we need to type a curly bracket or backslash, so let’s learn them now! But typing is not the only thing you’ll need to be a successful computer scientist. We’re going to see how software can improve your life and the lives of others. You’ll also get some hands-on experience with creating a database for a local deli. Sandwich, anyone?
What will you learn in this unit?
Define the term “software” and explain how software helps businesses perform tasks
Understand why file types are necessary and describe the content contained in different file types
Compare and contrast types of software and recommend the software that’s best suited for a task
Improve keyboarding skills by typing frequently using symbols in code
Explain the purpose of a database and perform common database operations
Unit 3: Let’s Play!
From turtles to software to databases to typing, we’ve covered a lot of ground so far. You’ve prepared well, and now you’re ready to start learning how to code. But it won’t feel like work—the opposite, in fact! You’ll be having so much fun creating characters and stories that you might wonder whether you’re just playing around. You will use a block-based programming website to help you control a program and learn some of the foundations of coding. You’ll also find and fix problems in a program. And, who knows? There might just be a flying dragon (yes, another reptile!) or a speeding car in your future. Let’s get ready to play!
What will you learn in this unit?
Understand how block-based programming can be used to code
Create simple programs in Tynker
Define and apply the three main programming constructs—sequence, selection, and iteration
Learn how to debug a program.
MS Coding 1a Midterm Exam
Review information acquired and mastered from this course up to this point.
Take a course exam based on material from the first three units in this course. (Note: You will be able to open this exam only one time.)
Unit 4: It’s All Greek to Me!
Did you know that there are other ways of counting numbers besides the way we normally count? Did you also know that a computer is only able to understand two numbers—0 and 1? Get ready to think like a computer and dive into the details of how words, pictures, and music are actually stored as numbers. We’ll then explore how programming languages can interact with a computer and what each language has in common. Finally? A lesson on how to clean your house. Now grab your broom, and let’s get swept away with coding languages!
What will you learn in this unit?
Describe how and why computers use binary
Convert between binary and decimal number systems
List and discuss the four components of programming languages
Identify and use two common approaches for program design
Unit 5: Snake Charmer
It’s finally the moment we’ve all been waiting for! We have laid a solid foundation and are now ready to embark on our first adventure of writing code. We are going to face the snake and begin learning the ins and outs of the Python programming language. We’ll combine some of the components of programming languages with our lightning-fast code-typing skills. We will also write some basic (but fun!) text games. Be prepared to face the snake!
What will you learn in this unit?
Comfortably use an online IDE to write code
Understand the difference between the Editor and the Interpreter screens
Use variables containing different data types and correctly type cast
Receive and process user input
Write a program that takes user input and applies a mathematical formula to it
Unit 6: Flexing Our Python Muscles!
Now that you’ve whet your appetite for more coding challenges, get ready to take your Python skills to the next level! We are going to learn how to control our code by using if statements. We’ll get a bit dizzy with loops, using them to make a game and a program to generate secure passwords. You will surely be inspired to go even further with your Python coding skills, creating new and exciting programs to share with family and friends!
What will you learn in this unit?
Regulate the flow of a program by using if statements
Understand and use for loops to repeat a block of code a specific number of times
Understand and use while loops to repeat a block of code until a condition is satisfied
Increment a variable to keep count
MS Coding 1a Final Exam
Review information acquired and mastered from this course up to this point.
Take a course exam based on material from all units in this course. (Note: You will be able to open this exam only one time.)
