CS Python Fundamentals (Digital Pathways) is an introductory-level course for students brand new to programming and computer science. In this course, you will learn problem-solving strategies, software design, and the foundations of computer science. You’ll do so using two key tools: the Project STEM programming environment and EarSketch, a software package that turns your code into music.

Not only will this course prepare you for continuing your studies in computer science (for example, by taking AP Computer Science A and AP Computer Science Principles), but it will also teach you how to think like a scientist and solve real-world problems, skills that are important to every 21st-century citizen.

There are no prerequisites for this course, although you should have basic familiarity with how to operate a computer and use applications. It’s also recommended that you have familiarity with basic algebra principles before starting this course.

Upon successful completion of this course, you will:

• Have the basic technical vocabulary of computer science.
• Understand basic principles of thinking and solving problems with computers and computation.
• Be able to use fundamental elements of computer programs, such as commands, variables, conditionals, and loops.
• Understand the representation of data in computer memory.
• Design, plan, implement, and test programming projects.
• Be able to use principles of programming to write and edit musical compositions in EarSketch.