STEAM
Science
Technology
Engineering
Arts
Math
Kindergarten
Animals and Algorithms
Students explore the nature of computers and the ways humans control and use technology. Starting with an unplugged activity, students learn about the sequential nature of computer programs. Students are inspired by a story in which Angelina, Mylo, and Suzi make videos to teach preschoolers about animals in their habitats. Then, students work in small groups to design and program a simple digital animation about an animal in its habitat.
PLTW Launch Standards Connection
First Grade
Animated Storytelling
In this module, students explore the sequential nature of computer programs through hands-on activities, both with and without a digital device. They explore the basic fundamentals of programming using ScratchJr, a block-based programming language to create their own projects. The Use-Modify-Create framework strengthens programming skills as students use a practice program, modify the program, and then create their own program according to the constraints provided.
Applying skills and knowledge learned from the activities and project in this module, students work together to design and program a digital animated story to share with members of their community.
PLTW Launch Standards Connection
Second Grade
Grids and Games
In this module, students explore the sequential nature of computer programs through hands-on activities, both with and without a digital device. In a life-size board game, students write a program using directional cards and repeat loops to program Rosie the Robotic Dog to move through a maze. Then, students develop an understanding of computer science, computer scientists, and the impacts of computing.
After building an understanding of computer science, students create programs using a block-based programming language. Students follow the Use-Modify-Create Framework to write programs with sequences, loops, and triggers. Applying skills and knowledge learned from the activities and project, students work together to design and program a game that can be played on a digital device.
PLTW Launch Standards Connection
Third Grade
Programming Patterns
Students explore control structures such as events, loops, and conditionals. These structures specify the sequence in which instructions are executed within a program. Starting with computer-free activities and progressing to programming in a block-based language on a device, students learn how to think computationally about a program. In the design problem, Angelina, Mylo, and Suzi are challenged to use computer programming to write a story with different endings. Combining their writing and programming skills, students develop interactive stories on a device with multiple plots.
Fourth Grade
Input/Output: Computer Systems
In this exploration of how computers work, students are encouraged to make analogies between the parts of the human body and parts that make up a computer. Students investigate reaction time as a measure of nervous system function. After Mylo suffers a concussion, his friends become interested in how to diagnose concussions and create a reaction-time computer program to assess a baseline before a concussion occurs. Students apply what they have learned to build their own reaction-time measurement devices on tablets. This module has strong connections to the fourth grade Human Brain module.
Fifth Grade
Robotics and Automation
Students explore the ways robots are used in today’s world and their impact on society and the environment. Students learn about a variety of robotic components as they build and test mobile robots that may be controlled remotely. Angelina, Mylo, and Suzi are tasked with designing a mobile robot that can remove hazardous materials from a disaster site. Students are then challenged to design, model, and test a mobile robot that solves this design problem.
PLTW Launch Standards Connection
Grades 6-8
Design and Modeling
Students discover the design process and develop an understanding of the influence of creativity and innovation in their lives. They are then challenged and empowered to use and apply what they’ve learned throughout the unit to design a therapeutic toy for a child who has cerebral palsy.
PLTW Gateway Standards Connection
Automation and Robotics
Students are given the opportunity to combine mechanisms with input and output devices to automate the mechanisms. Construction and programming skills are layered, and projects and the problem provide students the opportunity to connect their learning throughout the lessons in the unit. Students take on the role of interns, and work in teams to identify design requirements and create prototypes to meet the needs of clients. They also explore different aspects of automation and robotics, and experience how solving real-life problems involves the teamwork of mechanical engineers, software developers, and electrical engineers.
App Creators
This unit will expose students to computer science by computationally analyzing and developing solutions to authentic problems through mobile app development, and will convey the positive impact of the application of computer science to other disciplines and to society.
Students will customize their experience by choosing a problem that interests them from the areas of health, environment, emergency preparedness, education, community service, and school culture. Because problems in the real world involve more than one discipline, the unit will introduce students to biomedical science concepts as they work on solutions for the specific problems they choose to tackle.
Computer Science for Innovators and Makers
This unit will allow students to discover computer science concepts and skills by creating personally relevant, tangible, and shareable projects. Throughout the unit, students will learn about programming for the physical world by blending hardware design and software development. They will design and develop a physical computing device, interactive art installation, or wearable, and plan and develop code for microcontrollers that bring their physical designs to life.
Physical computing projects will promote student awareness of interactive systems, including Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and broaden their understanding of abstract computer science concepts through meaningful and authentic applications.
Flight and Space
The exciting world of aerospace comes alive through the Flight and Space (FS) unit. Students become engineers as they design, prototype, and test models to learn about the science of flight and what it takes to travel and live in space. They solve real-world aviation and space challenges and plan a mission to Mars.
Green Architecture
Today’s students have grown up in an age of “green” choices. In this unit, students learn how to apply this concept to the fields of architecture and construction by exploring dimensioning, measuring, and architectural sustainability as they design affordable housing units using Autodesk’s® 3D architectural design software.
PLTW Gateway Standards Connection
Medical Detectives
Students play the role of real-life medical detectives as they collect and analyze medical data to diagnose disease. They solve medical mysteries through hands-on projects and labs, measure and interpret vital signs, examine nervous system structure and function, and investigate disease outbreaks.
PLTW Gateway Standards Connection
Grades 9-12
Introduction to Computer Science is the perfect starting point for students eager to explore the world of computer science and its career possibilities.
Students will dive into programming using Python, a versatile and widely-used text-based language. They’ll also explore the fundamentals of video game development by designing and coding their own interactive games, learning the basics of game logic, graphics, and user experience. Additionally, students will engage in short film development, gaining experience in planning, editing, and finalizing a creative video project.
Throughout the course, students will master essential 21st-century skills like file management and organization. To cap off their journey, they’ll create an electronic portfolio showcasing their projects and newly acquired talents—an impressive resource to share with potential employers, universities, or IT professionals.
Computer Science and Software Engineering (CSSE) is the second course in the high school Computer Science pathway. Designed to reflect the tools and techniques used by software developers and IT professionals, this course stays up-to-date with evolving industry standards.
Students will begin by mastering file management for large projects, and setting up a Linux Ubuntu Virtual Environment for hands-on training. Through this environment, they’ll develop practical skills like installing software, updating operating systems, and creating backups.
The course then transitions to using industry-standard tools, such as GitHub, Python Integrated Development Environments (IDEs), and Software Development Kits (SDKs). Students will apply their knowledge to program drones to navigate midair courses, guide robots through quests, and work with Arduino microprocessors to process input from various sensors.
In CSSE, mistakes are not just accepted—they're encouraged as a key part of the learning process, fostering resilience and problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios.
Cybersecurity, do you want to become a Cyber Warrior? Are you ready to explore the exciting world of hacking, defending against cyber-attacks, and securing digital systems? If so, Cybersecurity is the course for you!
This course provides a solid foundation in cybersecurity, equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to pursue careers in this rapidly growing industry. Through hands-on practice and engaging lessons, students will dive into topics like hardening operating systems, securing network switches and routers, and exploring the fundamentals of cloud computing.
Students will also have the opportunity to participate in National CyberPatriot competitions, applying their skills in real-world scenarios and gaining invaluable experience. Those who demonstrate strong work ethics and receive teacher approval can advance to the next course, Advanced Cybersecurity Essentials (ACE), to earn certifications that make them highly marketable to universities and employers in the cybersecurity field.
Begin your journey to becoming a defender of the digital world today!
Research & Development: Students will build upon concepts learned from previous computer science classes, self-taught web-based applications, personal experiences, and collaborative teamwork. This course fosters a dynamic, hands-on learning environment where students are encouraged to apply STEM principles to pursue projects of their own choosing—projects that they’ve always wanted to complete but lacked the time or resources to do so.
Throughout the course, students will work in teams through three key stages of the Research & Development process: Implementation Planning, Community Pitch, and Final Presentation. Weekly blog reflections will allow students to document and share their experiences as their projects evolve.
At the end of the course, students will showcase their projects in the Innovation Gallery Walk, a special event held each May for peers, administrators, family, and industry professionals to view and celebrate their work.
This course is designed to be flexible, allowing students to take it multiple times across different trimesters to continue learning and innovating whenever their schedule allows.
Warning: Innovation is guaranteed!
Computer Science Independent Certification course serves as a capstone for students who have completed the computer science curriculum at GLCS. This course is designed for students to independently study, train, and prepare for industry-recognized certifications in the field of computer science.
Students will select a certification topic that aligns with their interests and career goals, then use a variety of resources to guide their preparation. The objective is for students to successfully pass their chosen certification exams, equipping them with the skills needed for entry-level positions or post-secondary education.
While the course is structured to span an entire academic year, the time required for preparation will vary depending on the certification chosen. Students will have the flexibility to work at their own pace to achieve their certification goals.