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Did you know that of the more than 9 million STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) jobs available in the next decade, half will require computing experience?

We are excited to introduce you to Faith Christian's newest course, AP Computer Science Principles (CSP)!  This class demonstrates to students the essential ideas of computer science and shows how computing and technology can influence the world around them. As you may know, computer science experience has become an imperative for today’s students and the workforce of tomorrow, and one of the goals of this course is to get students equipped for success in the 21st century. In CSP, your child will have the opportunity to creatively address real-world issues and concerns using the same processes and tools as artists, writers, computer scientists, and engineers to bring ideas to life.

The Power of Computer Science

The Innovation Engine

Wherever you look in today’s world, computer science is there. From 3-D animation to medicine, fashion, engineering, visual design, finance, music production, statistical analysis, and much more, computer science powers the technology, productivity, and innovation that drives the world.

Ideas Come to Life

AP® Computer Science Principles (AP CSP) helps you understand how computing and technology influence the world around you. As part of this course, you’ll create digital projects, such as videos and mobile apps, to address real-world issues in the same way that writers, programmers, engineers, and designers would. Students will conceive and implement digital projects, utilizing some of the same processes that writers, programmers, engineers, designers, and other creators use to bring their ideas to life.

AP CSP students have created projects like: 

• A travel app to plan what clothes to pack based on the destination’s weather
• A program that identifies threats to cybersecurity and ways to use the internet to address them
• An educational app that helps children learn their ABCs

Beyond Computing

• Create apps to track health data and provide real-time suggestions for ways to live healthier
• Program models and experiments that aid in answering biology, physics, and sociology questions
• Design and create robots to assist in fields like manufacturing, surgery, research, and transportation
• Create tools that allow people to collect money for important causes they care about

You don’t need to know coding or have computer science experience to be successful in AP CSP. Algebra I is the only recommended prerequisite.

FCS has adopted a computer requirement for all high school students, beginning with the class of 2021, next year's freshmen. Each student will take ONE computer class for graduation to help ensure that they are adequately equipped for college and any further area of study.  We currently offer one at the high school level and this will be another option. At the present we plan to alternate between them from year to year, but hope to continue building the program to where we offer both each year.