Grade: 9
Subject Area/Course Credit: Elective, 1 credit
Prerequisite: None
Computer Science and Automation is a Grade 9 Computer Science pathway designed for students who are new to coding, as well as those with some prior experience. The course develops core programming skills through hands-on, design challenges, using VEX robotics as a coding platform and learning framework.
Students use code to control, test, and refine robotic systems. The VEX competition provides the platform to learn to program, solve problems, debug, and think computationally.
In the second half of the course, students build the foundational computer science knowledge needed for future study. They explore key concepts that prepare them for Grade 10 pathways, including AP Computer Science Principles, AP Computer Science A with teacher recommendation, and selected Global Online Academy computer science courses.
This course is ideal for students who enjoy problem-solving, creative thinking, and learning how software can control real-world systems.