COMPUTER science
"Everybody in this country should learn to program a computer, because it teaches you how to think" - Steve Jobs
MathAltitude School of Mathematics partners with Prime Factor, Math Circles and School of Programming, to offer a new in-person 30-week computer science course:
Games and Algorithms with Scratch
About the Course
Computer Classes Details
Games and Algorithms with Scratch Level 1
Games and Algorithms with Scratch Level 2
Games and Algorithms with Scratch Level 3
Hardware Requirements
About Our Instructor
About the Course
This course introduces motivated elementary and middle school students to the fundamental concepts of computer science by using Scratch, a block-based visual programming language.
Learning to code is much more than learning a specific language. It is about logic, reasoning, and problem-solving. Students should acquire a distinct way of thinking that allows them to tackle problems, break them down into solvable chunks, and devise algorithms to solve them.
This course is intended as an introductory step for younger students in grades 4 through 6 in growing from computer technology users to independent creators, instilling a lifelong interest in computer science.
Students will learn the basic building blocks of computer programs like creating conditions, repetition, and creating modular and reusable code. Every week students will work on a new module that builds off the last. Each class will start with a demonstration of the program they are going to build, and then students will build it together with an instructor.
Homework is assigned after each class and is expected to be submitted weekly.
The course is divided into three 10-week, 90 min. per class, sessions.
Thursdays, 6:30-8:00 P.M. starting October 12
Tuition: $500 each session
Classes are limited to 8 students. A minimum of 5 students is required to hold the class.
Computer Classes Details
Games and Algorithms with Scratch Level 1, Grades 4 - 6
10 weekly 90 min. classes, Thursdays, 6:30-8:00 P.M., October 12 - December 21
Placement Test/Teacher recommendation is required.
The goals of this class are to spark children’s interest in coding and to transform them into independent creators.
By the end of the course, the students will learn enough Scratch programming to be able to independently create games and other exciting projects.
Students will start by learning the Scratch programming environment and will spend the rest of the course working on animation stories, coding projects, and games. Through carefully selected projects and exercises, students will learn important computational concepts: sequencing, loops, conditionals, operators, variables, messages, and events, lists. They will also learn essential computational practices: organization, modularization, testing, and debugging.
Homework is assigned after each class and is expected to be submitted weekly. The students who successfully complete this 10-week section will be able to proceed to Scratch Level 2.
Games and Algorithms with Scratch Level 2, Grades 4 - 6
10 weekly 90 min. classes, Thursdays, 6:30-8:00 P.M., January 4 - March 14
For new students, a Placement Test/Teacher recommendation is required.
This 10-week session is designed for 4-6 graders who already have a working knowledge of variables, loops, messages, and conditionals, and have an active Scratch coding experience. We will learn new coding concepts, design more complex and sophisticated programs, and even advance your knowledge of geometry and physics. A variety of fun graphical projects, mathematical simulations, and games will take these new concepts to work and foster computational thinking and problem-solving.
Homework is assigned after each class and is expected to be submitted weekly. The students who successfully complete this 10-week section will be able to proceed to Scratch Level 3.
Games and Algorithms with Scratch Level 3, Grades 4 - 6
10 weekly 90 min. classes, Thursdays, 6:30-8:00, March 28 – June 6
For new students, a Placement Test/Teacher recommendation is required.
This 10-week session is the continuation of Level 2. We will introduce new game and graphics-creating techniques, and work on projects requiring complex logic. We will implement tower defense, space wars, projectiles shooter games, create optical illusions and geometric art, and learn to use clones for visual effects.
Homework is assigned after each class and is expected to be submitted weekly. The students who successfully complete this 10-week section will be ready for more advanced computer science topics and programming languages.
Hardware requirements
Windows 10+, macOS 10.13+, or ChromeOS, Wi-Fi enabled
At least a 1.6 GHz processor or faster with min RAM of 8 GB.
500 MB of available storage.
Scratch is designed for screens with a size of 1024 x 768 or larger.
Students can bring a mouse.
About Our Instructor
Mr. Ed Suyer has been part of our MathAltitude community for the past 12 years. He has taught Scratch programming at the elementary level, and a Cloud programming internship program for high schoolers. Mr. Suyer is a programmer by trade and works in the industry writing code and mentoring programmers.
We invite your child to discover the fascinating world of computer science!
Fill out the simple form below to inquire about computer science class availability and learn more about the program:
Also feel free to call us - (860) 37-LEARN (375-3276) or email us - info@mathaltitude.com
