1. The Benefits of a Computer Science Education Jessica Gorman TJHSST Computer Systems (2008-2009)1

2. What is the Scratch Program at Cardinal Forest Elementary School?
45 min class weekly
Origins of the Program
Gates
Allard
What do we do?
curriculum developing process
lesson agenda 2

3. What is Scratch? Scratch Developed by MIT Why Scratch? “kid friendly”
Drag and drop text
Multimedia/ visually focused 3

4. Developing a Curriculum
Topics
Integration of SOL topics
Science
History
Math
Coordinate system
Problem solving
Pseudo code
Splitting a problem into steps
Beginning comp sci skills
loops
Methods (when “green flag” clicked, go to v glide) 4

5. Timeline October - November: - Basic scratch skills
December - January:
-Teacher designed programs
- Identify students interested in independent design
February-May:
- more freedom in project design in class projects
-Student Projects 5

6. Shapes Project 6

7. Winter Wonderland Project7

8. Fish Game Project 8

9. Benefits of a Computer Science Education?
Research focus
Benefits of a comp sci a young age?
Type of child who benefits the most
Procedure
Distribute survey throughout year
Personality
Learning ability 9

10. (Expected) Results Possible benefits Problem solving Teamwork
Following directions
Abstract thinking 10

11. Observations A: student w/ behavioral issues B: quiet student
one of brightest 2nd graders
issues in the classroom
never had problem in Scratch
understood had to be respectful if wanted to learn
B: quiet student
barely talked to other students/ teachers
very intelligent
once asked to help his neighbor
now, loves making his rounds to help the others 11