Computer Science Department
Career and Technical Education (CTE) Computer Science courses are designed to teach students skills that can be used in future careers via a combination of classroom instruction, laboratory learning, and work-based learning. This department instructs our students on introductory computer science concepts, design thinking skills, career readiness skills, computer programming & data based management, website development, embedded programming & robotics, and graphic design.
2024-2025 Teachers: Diana Capuano, John Murphy, Shanua Rodriguez, & Sixto Vaquero
Upcoming Announcements & Opportunities
WLG
Work Learn Opportunities announcements coming soon in Sept. Students check in with CS Teachers often.
UAU
Employment opportunities with Coord. Chavion office hours in 510 will be here posted shortly.
Wk. Shops
Resume development, working papers & I9 applications will be occurring in CTE CS classes and after school. Check back here for days & times.
WBL & Service
Work Based Learning announcements, internships, employment postings & community service opportunities for 2024-2025 coming soon.
Partners
Are you a new partner or existing partner looking to work with our school community under our CTE WBL program? Please email WBL Coord. here.
Intro to Computer Science
This CTE course introduces 9th grade students to the full design process from the perspective of a software engineer and introduction to computer science. Students learn Design Thinking, a foundational set of skills that challenges them to think as designers: they engage with real-world challenges, work to understand the context of these problems, and develop and integrate on solutions that take into account the design parameters. The material emphasizes computational thinking and helps develop the ability to solve complex problems.
Python & Programming
10th grade students develop skills essential for the 21st Century which include critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity. Web technologies, computer science, and software engineering are just another way to help you master those skills and compete outside of the classroom, be prepared for college, a career, and other parts of life. Students in this class are expected to be challenged to ask meaningful questions, complete design challenges in Python as a foundational programming language course, make community and/or career connections to what they are learning or creating, present their work to outside audiences beyond the scope of the school, and justify their work. In this course, the reading of articles will also inform us about the world and technology so that students can eventually become masters at making real-world connections to what we are learning. The course will also continue to develop students’ design thinking skills through project based learning and standards based grading under the CTE pathway.
Embedded Programming & Robotics
This is a NEW 2024-2025 course on our CTE Software Engineering pathway for mostly 11th graders & some 12th graders and replaces the previous pathway course of APCSA in Java programming. Students will learn how to integrate their programming experiences to physical hardware and circuitry. This course on embedded engineering and programming involves designing, developing and testing software so that students can be inspired to prepare themselves for careers and college study on how this form of engineering works with consumer and commercial devices, such as aircraft displays, cardiac pacemakers, and smartphone Bluetooth radios. Embedded systems are microprocessor-based computer hardware systems that are designed to perform a specific function, either independently or as part of a larger system. The goals for learners in this course is to develop a foundation in programming proficiency, fundamentals, and real-time operating systems. This includes exposure to ROBOTICS!
Designing with Data
This 12th grade CTE course is an exploration into application development, with a focus on leveraging data to create meaningful solutions while increasing their problem solving skill levels. Understanding how to design and develop applications that harness the potential of data is a valuable skill. Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of data-driven application development through hands-on projects and real world scenarios. Students will also learn how to create socially useful computational artifacts that connect to computing and learn about abstracting as they develop and analyze their programs. The curriculum also emphasizes communication and collaboration in a project-based approach and classroom environment and often goes hand in hand with a larger 12th grade interdisciplinary project or capstone.
Elective:
UX / UI Design
User Experience Design or User Interface (UX / UI) Design isn't a part of BASE's CTE pathway, this course is important for teaching students and preparing students for future careers that involve the design of user interfaces for machines and software, such as computers, home appliances, mobile devices, and other electronic devices, with the focus on maximizing usability and the user experience. As an elective course students will continue to program as well as creatively design websites and prototypes for applications using HTML, CSS, & JavaScript while fine tuning their design thinking skills.
Elective:
Graphic Design
This graphic design course teaches students the fundamentals of design and how to use technology to create visual representations of ideas and messages. This additional technology course is interdependent to other course content that BASE students would already have had some experience with in regards to software development. Students learn about the principles of art and design, typography, and how to use design software to create digital drawings, logos, advertisements, and more. They will develop skills in Adobe's Creative Suite and some will take on an important high school experience and challenge: The High School Yearbook
Some of our WBL Partners & Resources
It is BASE's goal to have 100% of all students participate in work-based learning whether they are taking CTE courses on the software engineering pathway or not. It is also our goal for students to be career and college by not only working with these partners inside and outside of BASE, but by also performing 100 community service hours as part of their graduation requirements in order to give back to their community and develop a sense of purpose, strong relationships with others, self-confidence, self-awareness, strong networking and social skills, positive physical, emotional and mental health, and to ultimately have fun during their four years of high school.
