Engineering Academy

AP Computer Science Principles 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. This course counts as a core elective credit.

This is a course that builds upon what students learn  in the introductory course. Since students will come  to this class already having experience in computer aided design (3D and 2D CAD), manufacturing  (additive/3D printing and subtractive/machining),  robotics, mechatronics, programming (websites,  apps, video games, etc.), writing and reporting, and  problem solving/metacognition, the class will consist  of a shorter overview of these topics so that students  can get into skill-building projects as soon as they are  ready. Intro to Engineering and Design is a prerequisite  for this course.

The goal of this course is to take a more in depth look at what was covered in the introductory course. Here, we will explore more complex circuits and systems and place more emphasis on material usage, cost, and efficiency in order to make sure that we build systems that not only work, but also work as best as they can in the most cost effective way.

This is a course that teaches students how to teach themselves and how to learn: we just happen to be doing it through engineering. The course will expose students to how the world around them works and teach them the basic principles behind those functionalities so that they can create their own if they are up for the challenge. This is a year-long course where students will learn by researching, developing, applying, and iterating solutions to problem statements we come up with together; however, before we can do all this, we will give them a foundation in computer-aided design (3D and 2D CAD), manufacturing (additive/3D printing and subtractive/machining), robotics, mechatronics, programming (websites, apps, video games, etc.), writing and reporting, and problem solving/metacognition. With a basic understanding of these areas, students will be prepared to find whatever answers they need to teach themselves whatever they want to learn by building projects that necessitate those skills.