1. Computer Science for the Young Mind By: Paul Im Computer Systems 08-09 Period 3

2. Abstract Limited efforts to educate younger students Goal: to implement computer programming to educate elementary and/or middle school students in math and science. Figure 1: Java logowww.lucidsys.net/lucid_services. htmlwww.lucidsys.net/lucid_services. html

3. Introduction Every day, technology becomes more advanced and accessible  Little progress made at elementary school level Scope: effective usage of teaching methods and basic programming  Choice for programming language: Scratch Final project: improved curriculum  Expected results: students learn computer programming

4. Background Computer programming-uses conventional languages for high school Scratch-kid friendly programming language Figure 2: Unofficial Scratch Profile Image http://fertanish.blogspot.com/2007/05/scratch.html

5. Background cont’d Programs like this done before  2007: Gregory Gates at Cardinal Forest Elementary  Computer clubhouse at MIT Figure 3: Cardinal Forest Elementary School computer lab

6. Development Auxiliary research  Class design  Indirect teaching Effectiveness and efficiency Projects  Rectangle challenge  Ice Skating Rink  Program deconstruction

7. Procedures Curriculum-expanding on predecessor’s ideas  Improvements required Videos with Scratch – Created and used as teaching aids Figure 4: Scratch students at Cardinal Forest Elementary http://www.fcps.edu/CardinalForestES/pages/Scratch/Scratch%20Gallery/html/0.htm

8. Procedures cont’d Considered teleconferencing – Initially abandoned – Later reconsidered Figure 5: Random Promotional Picture

9. Timeline October: begin curriculumJune: end of course November: used Scratchto create programs May: final projects December: helped withdevelopment of Kitty RectangleprojectJanuary: helped withdevelopment of IceSkating Rink project February: helped with GameDeconstruction project, startedvideo conferencing plansMarch: helped withGame Deconstructionproject April: started videoconferencing, startedfinal project phase

10. Problems Incompatibility  Latest Scratch for Linux: 1.2 Required: 1.3  Few formal sources for Scratch Transportation  No car Timing  Different period

11. Sample Algorithms Figure 6: Prototype Tutorial Program

12. Sample Algorithms Figure 7: Screenshot of Winter Wonderland Tutorial Program

13. Sample Algorithms Figure 8: Analytical Image from Game Deconstruction Exercise

14. Discussion Progress in learning – Subjective Aspirations for course’s future – Last for years – Expansion into mainstream curriculum Figure 9: Promotional Image for Second Project

15. Results Students continue to learn – Different paces observed Project successful – Difficulties reasonably overcome Figure 10: snapshot of first video conference

16. Conclusion Computer as medium – Teaching Students – The sooner, the better How young is too young? – Maybe never