ATTENTION TO ALL COMPUTER WHIZZES: Interested in a $40,000 scholarship?
Top 10 Reasons to take 900 Beginners Computer Science
NEIRAD enilno edition
For those considering computer science in college, DHS students have the opportunity to get a jumpstart by enrolling in 900 Computer Science. You can sign-up in pre-registration next month. This rewarding full-year class is taught by Mrs. Brooks. The class offers students the chance to create computer applications using specific computer codes. Along with the DHS Computer Programming Club underway, computer science electives at DHS will emerge as an increasingly popular course preference as opportunities continue to expand in this vibrant profession.
The computer science courses are located in G Wing and count for a college fine art/tech credit. Students must take 900 Computer Science before enrolling in the more advanced 400 AP A and 400 AP B computer science classes.
“Students should definitely enroll if they are analytical, really interested in computers, and enjoy math and logic-type problems, but they don’t have to be a math whiz to take [the course]. They should be very detail oriented because they will actually writing in the computer language and create their own computer applications,” Mrs Brooks stated.
The Computer Application course focuses on Excel and PowerPoint. The 900 Computer Science course is primarily focused on the understanding of the Java computer programming language and writing software using this universal computer code.
“We follow the AP Java language because it’s one of the most popular computer languages in the world. Students will come across it in college and the professional world,” DHS's computer teacher guru said.
Mrs. Brooks, who has taught computer science at DHS for six years, is the advisor and teacher for all computer science courses. Many of her former students have gone on to become computer science majors. According to Mrs Brooks, these students did well on the AP exam. Juniors presently in the class are John Kelly, Chris Shay, Ricky Kelly, and Jay Robinson-Duff and current seniors who are considering computer science majors in college include Nils Remole and Kristen Schau.
“It's a class that is special in that you get some gratification besides a grade. At the end of the day, you've actually made an application that works and you can use,” Kristen Schau said.
In order to help prepare for the AP exam and further boost computer skills, juniors are encouraged to compete in competitions in an effort to increase their chances of landing a full college scholarship. These competitions, one of which is sponsored by General Electric, grant a $40,000 scholarship to Fairfield University to the highest scoring junior. DHS came in first place two years in a row at the competition sponsored by Norwalk Community College and also won the Quinnipiac competition a few years ago.
The DHS Computer Club will begin in February. The group meets one day before school on the either Wednesday or Thursday in G-208. The club will compete in competitions and create more sophisticated projects in student groups. Although, students do not have to be in a computer science class to join, they must have some knowledge of programming. “The intent of the club is not to teach programming, but to enhance your knowledge by [engaging in] fun competitions and additional projects we can’t complete in the classroom,” Mrs Brooks said.
Students in Mrs. Brooks’ classes created a list of the TOP 10 Reasons to pre-register for Computer Science next month:
10) Mrs. Brooks is the teacher!
9) Use computers almost every class!
8) Get your own folder on the W: drive!
7) Learn the Java programming language!
6) Expand your horizons and see if you have an interest in programming!
5) You need computer experience for most jobs now!
4) Relaxed learning environment!
3) Fulfills the ‘fine art/tech ed’ requirement for graduation!
2) AP Computer Science classes available!
1) Learn how to code computer games!
