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Computer Science Principles Class

Core computer architecture topics - binary, networking, security, algorithm, and more.

Grades 6-12
2-3 students group class
70min - 75min per session
Live online class

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Computer Science Principles (meet APCSP requirements)

You might have learned coding for a while. But have you ever thought about how do computers work exactly? How does it understand the code we write? How do computers talk to each other? How to keep our data secure? There are many fun questions like that.

In this Computer Science Principles class, we introduce students to a wide range of important fundamental topics in computer science such as binary, encryption, networking, and more. It is a great step for learning more about system and architectural aspects of computers.

Developed by expert AP computer science educators, the class also meets the requirements for the APCSP exam as defined by the College Board. APCSP is a fairly manageable exam to pass for high school, and even middle school, students who have done a couple of years of coding and have a solid foundational understanding about computer science principles.

About APCSP - APCSP (AP Computer Science Principles) is one of the two computer science AP courses/exams offered by the College Board. APCSP covers a broad range of topics. It is "an introductory college-level computing course that introduces students to the breadth of the field of computer science. Students learn to design and evaluate solutions and to apply computer science to solve problems through the development of algorithms and programs. They incorporate abstraction into programs and use data to discover new knowledge. Students also explain how computing innovations and computing systems—including the internet—work, explore their potential impacts, and contribute to a computing culture that is collaborative and ethical."

If you plan to take APCSP class, you should take both the Computer Science Principles - Core class as well as the companion Create Performance Task class. The latter is designed specifically for preparing for the exam which typically happen in May of each year. The best time to take Create Performance Task class is around Feb/March of the year, right before the May exam.

Computer Science Principles - Core(Enroll)

In this class, we cover a broad spectrum of fundamental computer science topics including - Data and Binary - Compression and Data Types - Big Data and Crowdsourcing - Data Types and Programming - Control Structures and Procedures - Algorithms and Efficiency - Networking and Internet - Managing Computer Resources - Online Information and Data - Simulations and Computing Bias All of these are important foundational knowledge for any students who are interested in computer science. They meet the full requirements as defined by College Board for the APCSP exam as well. These are great topics to master regardless of whether you are taking the APCSP exam or not. Because the class needs to cover a lot of concepts in a short period of time, it has more lecturing compared to most of our other classes which are almost 100% project based. Students will still work on small projects throughout the course to better understand the content and need to actively participate in the class discussions to get the most out of this course with rich content.

APCSP - Create Performance Task (Test Prep)(Enroll)
APCSP Create Performance Task is the part of the APCSP exam where students are required to complete a coding project with about 12 hours of work supervised by a teacher. In this class, students will work on their projects in the class and can ask teachers for help. Teachers are not allowed to give specific instruction on how to build the project, but can give general guidance on coding to help students make progress. Projects may be written in Python or Scratch. Students who have signed up for the AP exam will have full access to the AP classroom from the College Board as well.
Note that this course is not for preparing for AP CSP written exam portion of the class. To learn the AP CSP content, sign up for our AP CS Principles Core class, which runs several times a year.
This Create Performance Task class is only offered from Jan - May each year to follow AP exam schedule.

$525 (12 Sessions)
5.625 class pack credits

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Don't see a time that works for you? Request another time.

Computer - Mac
Windows PC
Chromebook
Students need to have completed Python to get the best learning from this APCSP class. To sign up for Python class, visit https://www.create-learn.us/coding-for-kids/python

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Frequently Asked Question about AP Computer Science Principle

Q: What is AP?

AP stands for Advanced Placement. It is the most popular type of advanced courses offered by many high schools for students who have demonstrated strong interests and intellectual capacity to take college level courses in high school. You can learn more about the exam at College Board website. There are two AP exams related to computer science AP Computer Science Principle and AP Computer Science A.

Q: What are the differences between AP CSA and AP CSP

AP CSA and AP CSP (Computer Science Principles) are the two Computer Science related AP tests offered by the College Board. The two cover complementary content. Learn more about the differences on the FAQ section of our AP CSA class page.