Computer Science: Principles is a pilot AP course being developed by the College Board in collaboration with the National Science Foundation.  For more information about the project please visit: http://csprinciples.org or scroll down to browse the site.



Computer Science: Principles is designed to introduce students to the central ideas of computing and computer science, to instill ideas and practices of computational thinking, and to have students engage in activities that show how computing and computer science change the world. The proposed course is rigorous and rich in computational content, includes computational and critical thinking and skills, and engages students in the creative aspects of the field. Through both its content and pedagogy, this course aims to appeal to a broad audience.



The class revolves around 7 Big Ideas and 31 associated learning objectives.  For each learning objective below we link to projects done in the course that (supposedly) touch on that learning objective.



(Key: LO = “Learning Objective”, SC = “Student Can...”)



Big Idea I:  Creativity
LO 1: SC use computing tools and techniques to create artifacts.
LO 2: SC analyze computational artifacts.
LO 3: SC use computing tools and techniques for creative expression.
LO 4: SC use programming as a creative tool.

​

Big Idea II:  Abstraction
LO 5: SC describe the combination of abstractions used to represent data.
LO 6: SC explain how binary sequences are used to represent digital data.
LO 7: SC develop an abstraction.
LO 8: SC use multiple levels of abstraction in computation.
LO 9: SC use models and simulations to raise and answer questions.

​

Big Idea III:  Data
LO 10: SC use computers to process information to gain insight and knowledge.
LO 11: SC communicate how computer programs are used to process information to gain insight and knowledge.
LO 12: SC use computing to facilitate exploration and the discovery of connections in information.
LO 13: SC use large datasets to explore and discover information and knowledge.
LO 14: SC analyze the considerations involved in the computational manipulation of information.

​

Big Idea IV:  Algorithms
LO 15: SC develop an algorithm.
LO 16: SC express an algorithm in a language.
LO 17: SC appropriately connect problems and potential algorithmic solutions.
LO 18: SC evaluate algorithms analytically and empirically.

​

Big Idea V:  Programming
LO 19: SC explain how programs implement algorithms.
LO 20: SC use abstraction to manage complexity in programs.
LO 21: SC evaluate a program for correctness.
LO 22: SC develop a correct program.
LO 23: SC employ appropriate mathematical and logical concepts in programming.

Big Idea VI:  Internet
LO 24: SC explain the abstractions in the Internet and how the Internet functions.
LO 25: SC explain characteristics of the Internet and the systems built on it.
LO 26: SC analyze how characteristics of the Internet and systems built on it influence their use.
LO 27: SC connect the concern of cybersecurity with the Internet and systems built on it.

​

Big Idea VII:  Impact
LO 28: SC analyze how computing affects communication, interaction, and cognition.
LO 29: SC connect computing with innovations in other fields.
LO 30: SC analyze the beneficial and harmful effects of computing.
LO 31: SC connect computing within economic, social, and cultural contexts.