Computer Science for Kids A Storytelling Approach

A kid-friendly and rigorous new way to teach young readers the fundamentals of computer science

In Computer Science for Kids: A Storytelling Approach, AWS Head of Academic Advocacy and Google Developer Expert Dr. Jen Looper delivers a colorful, fun, and exciting demonstration for young readers who want to learn the basics of computer science. Using a variety of technologies, the book covers the elements of computer science in concise detail and illustrates how to build projects to learn foundational concepts behind the technology powering the internet.

In the book, you’ll find projects to build using both basic and emerging technologies—like SQL, game development, storytelling software, and 3D augmented reality—as well as:

• Chapter projects aligned to K-12 curriculum standards for grades 6-8 and a GitHub repo featuring open-source projects
• Lesson plans for teachers
• An online space for classrooms to showcase and discuss their work

An easy-to-follow and kid-friendly new resource for technology-curious middle school students, Computer Science for Kids is the fun and interesting web development resource that classroom teachers, parents, and homeschooling families have been waiting for.

Jen Looper is the Head of Academic Advocacy at AWS with over 22 years’ experience as a web and mobile developer, specializing in creating cross-platform mobile and web apps. She’s a multilingual multiculturalist with a passion for web technologies, applied machine learning and discovering new things every day. With a PhD in medieval French literature, Jen’s area of focus is curriculum development and the application of sound pedagogy to technical topics. Visit Jen’s personal site at www.jenlooper.com, or connect via Twitter @jenlooper.

Introduction xv

How to Contact Wiley or the Author xxi

Preface 1

I The Missing Fireflies 3

1. The Trapper 5

2. The Firefly Refuge 23

3. The Fireflies’ Message 35

4. A Home for All 49

II the Glowing Moss 61

5. Goblin’s Gold 63

6. Securing the Moss 83

7. The Whisper Network 97

8. A Well- Tested Solution 109

III Geode Quest 121

9. Searching for Geodes 123

10. Cleaning and Categorizing the Collection 137

11. The Stone Library 155

12. Hide or Seek 171

IV the Petrified Forest 183

13. The Petrified Forest 185

14. The Butterfly Brigade 201

15. Power of the Weak 215

16. The Written Artifact 227

V Legends of the Field Mice 241

17. The Field Mice 243

18. Lights, Sounds, Action 273

19. Unlocking the Vault 291

20. The Real World 307

Index 317

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.