{"id":1570,"date":"2021-08-19T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-19T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/education\/blog\/2021\/08\/19\/announcing-ap-computer-science-principles-with-microsoft-makecode\/"},"modified":"2024-06-03T15:24:20","modified_gmt":"2024-06-03T22:24:20","slug":"announcing-ap-computer-science-principles-with-microsoft-makecode","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/education\/blog\/2021\/08\/announcing-ap-computer-science-principles-with-microsoft-makecode\/","title":{"rendered":"Announcing AP Computer Science Principles with Microsoft MakeCode"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"free-curriculum-for-high-school-computer-science\">Free curriculum for high school computer science<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In partnership with the United States <a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/about.collegeboard.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" aria-label=\"Follow this link to learn more about the United States College Board organization.\"><strong>College Board<\/strong><\/a> organization, whose mission is to expand access to higher education for every student, Microsoft is proud to announce a free new curriculum resource for high school educators who teach the College Board\u2019s <a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/apcentral.collegeboard.org\/courses\/ap-computer-science-principles\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" aria-label=\"Follow this link to learn more about the College Board's Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles course.\"><strong>Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles<\/strong><\/a> course, known as AP CS Principles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>AP CS Principles is an introductory course designed to attract students of all backgrounds, experience levels, and interests. It covers a wide range of computing topics with a special focus on the impact of technology and computing on students\u2019 lives. The course covers a full academic year and does not require any prerequisites (though Algebra I is recommended). An end-of-course exam may be taken to receive college credit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Watch the above video to learn more about AP CS Principles.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/makecode.com\/csp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" aria-label=\"Follow this link to learn more about AP Computer Science Principles with Microsoft MakeCode.\"><strong>AP CS Principles with Microsoft MakeCode<\/strong><\/a> curriculum is free and uses web-based technology and tools that can be accessed across platforms and devices. The curriculum is endorsed and approved by the College Board as aligning with the AP CS Principles curriculum framework and AP CS Principles exam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some additional features of the Microsoft MakeCode curriculum include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Game-based learning for increased student engagement using the MakeCode Arcade platform<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Visual block-based programming environment, with JavaScript and Python options for more advanced students<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Creativity and self-expression encouraged through the creation of custom game assets, characters, and storylines<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Easy ability to share games and projects with friends and family<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Focus on design thinking process for student projects<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Optional service learning module and physical computing lesson options with micro:bit<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Educator professional development available<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/education\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/JavaScript.png\" alt=\"Microsoft MakeCode Arcade supports block-based programming and text-based programming with JavaScript and Python.\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The curriculum was written and tested in the classroom by <strong>Kelli Etheredge<\/strong>, an AP CS Principles teacher herself. It is designed for teachers new to computer science\u2014concepts are explained in plain language, daily materials and talking points with all solutions included.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, the curriculum was written to be culturally relevant to a wide variety of students with diverse backgrounds and experience levels. All computing terms are explained using language and analogies that students understand, most projects encourage student choice in the topic to ensure that the learning aligns to their interests, and no prior knowledge or computing experience is assumed in the course design and pacing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And best of all, it\u2019s free for anyone to use!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Learn more about the AP Computer Science Principles with Microsoft MakeCode curriculum with these resources:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/education.microsoft.com\/en-us\/course\/38cd00a0\/overview\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" aria-label=\"Follow this link to the Microsoft Educator Center course, &quot;Teach AP Computer Science Principles with the Microsoft MakeCode curriculum.&quot;\"><strong>Microsoft Educator Center 1-hour online course<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/makecode.com\/csp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" aria-label=\"Follow this link to learn more about Microsoft MakeCode Computer Science Principles curriculum. \"><strong>Curriculum overview<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/microsoft.github.io\/makecode-csp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" aria-label=\"Follow this link for Microsoft MakeCode curriculum materials.\"><strong>Online curriculum materials<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In partnership with the United States College Board organization, whose mission is to expand access to higher education for every student, Microsoft is proud to announce a free new curriculum resource for high school educators who teach the College Board\u2019s Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles course.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":239,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ms_queue_id":[],"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"_classifai_error":"","_classifai_text_to_speech_error":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"audience":[249,150],"content-type":[155],"product":[180],"topic":[184,172],"coauthors":[231],"class_list":["post-1570","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","audience-education-decision-makers","audience-educators","content-type-news","product-makecode","topic-career-readiness-skills","topic-stem"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Announcing AP Computer Science Principles with Microsoft MakeCode | Microsoft Education Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"AP CS Principles with Microsoft MakeCode is a free 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