Computer Science Discoveries 

Curriculum Overview   

Why Computer Science? ​Every 21st century student should have the opportunity to learn 
computer science. The basics of computer science help nurture creativity and 
problem-solving skills, preparing students for a future in any field or career. 
What is Computer Science Discoveries?  Designed for Equity 
Computer Science Discoveries (CS Discoveries) is an  We designed this course from the 
introductory computer science course designed for 6th -  ground up to be accessible and 
10th grade students. The curriculum emphasizes  engaging for all students, 
problem-solving, creation, collaboration, while introducing  regardless of background or prior 
students to the many ways computer science impacts their  experience. By providing 
lives.  students opportunities to engage 
with culturally and personally 
K-12 curriculum pathway  relevant topics in 
a wide variety of CS related fields, 
CS Discoveries fits naturally between our CS Fundamentals 
we hope to show all students that CS can be for them. 
course (for K-5th grade) and our AP/Honors CS Principles 
course (for high school). This allows districts, teachers, and   
students to complete a K-12 pathway of CS courses that  Elementary  Middle  High 
build on each other and cohesively flow together. 
K  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12 
Flexible Implementation 
We built the CS Discoveries curriculum for students in 
CS Fundamentals               
grades 6-10, so teachers can implement in either middle 
school or high school classrooms. The two semesters spiral              CS Discoveries     
upon each other, allowing the course to be taught as a 
single semester (Units 1-3), two sequential semesters, a                    CS Principles 
full-year course, or even integrated into existing technology 
Pre-reader  CS Fundamentals Express 
classes.  Express 

Professional Learning Program 

Teachers implementing CS Discoveries as a semester or full-year course can apply to participate in a one-year 
professional learning program. The program has two phases: 

● Summer: ​Teachers attend a 5-day in-person, conference style workshop designed to introduce CS Concepts 
from the curriculum and core teaching practices. (Travel may be required.) 

● School Year: ​Teachers engage in continued learning through professional development focused on supporting 
their first year of implementation. 

   
“I do not have a computer   
science background. I would  “It was absolutely rich and the 
change nothing about the  most meaningful training I 
have ever attended in 16 years 
training. It was an incredible 
of teaching.” 
experience, and I felt valued 
and respected.” 

 
 

Curriculum Features:  ● Videos for students and teachers including concept 

tutorials, instructional guides, and lesson tips 
● Daily instructional lesson plans that include inquiry- 
and equity based pedagogy and background  ● Code.org -- a learning platform that organizes 
content  lesson plans and activities with student and teacher 
● Formative and summative assessments, exemplars  dashboards 
and rubrics 

Curriculum tools: 
● App Lab: ​JavaScript programming environment on Code.org, designed for 
creating event driven web apps with block-to-text workspace and debugging 
capabilities 
● Game Lab: ​JavaScript programming environment on Code.org, designed for 
creating object oriented sprite-based games and animations with 
block-to-text workspace and debugging capabilities 
● Circuit Playground: ​Adafruit’s new Arduino-based microcontroller that has a number of 
components and sensors built right onto the board and is used as the hardware for physical 
computing lessons. Using the Maker Toolkit, students can program their Circuit Playground 
boards right from App Lab with easy-to-understand JavaScript commands and blocks 
● Web Lab: ​HTML/CSS programming environment on Code.org used for website development 

CS Discoveries unit overview 

Semester 1: Exploration and Expression 

Unit 1  Explore the problem-solving process and the different ways humans and computers 
Problem Solving  solve problems 

Unit 2  Discover the languages powering the web. Build your own websites in HTML and CSS 
Web Development  using Web Lab 

Unit 3  Learn the powerful constructs underlying programming languages. Build interactive 
Animations and Games  animations and games in JavaScript using Game Lab 

Semester 2: Innovation and Impact 

Unit 4  Follow a design process to identify and empathize with problems faced by a target 
The Design Process  audience. Prototype an app to help solve that problem using App Lab. 

Unit 5  Develop binary representations of different kinds of information. Collect, analyze, 

Data and Society  visualize, and make automated decisions using data. 

Unit 6  Explore the relationship between hardware and software while building interactive 
Physical Computing  projects on Adafruit’s Circuit Playground. 
 
Learn more about professional learning! ​https://code.org​/professional-learning  
For curriculum, videos, support documents, and more, visit: ​https://code.org/csd 
 

Code.org ​is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to expanding participation in computer science education by making it   
available in more schools and increasing participation by women and underrepresented students of color. The 
Code.org vision is that every student in every school should have the opportunity to learn computer programming