Students in grades K-12 at Shady Side Academy celebrated Computer Science Education Week from Dec. 5-9, 2016, by participating in a variety of computer activities at each campus, including the Hour of Code, 3D design and printing, and a guest sepaker.

At the Junior School, students in grades K-5 joined tens of millions of students worldwide in participating in the Hour of Code, an introduction to computer science designed to demystify code and show that anybody can learn the basics. Students completed a variety of grade-appropriate coding tutorials during their regular computer classes with teacher Karen Sandora. Kindergarteners went on a "Candy Quest" using Tynker, while first graders used Scratch Jr. to program interactive stories and games. Students in grades 2-5 completed coding activities from Code.org featuring kid-friendly themes such as Moana, Star Wars, Minecraft and Angry Birds.

At the Middle School, students in grades 6-8 explored 3D design using Autodesk Project Ignite during their regular computer classes with teacher Tim McGuigan. Students learned how a three-dimensional object is constructed, refined and printed using the school's brand-new 3D printers. These activities built on the school's current design thinking curriculum, extending student lessons on how problems can be solved through design.

The Senior School Computer Science Department welcomed alumnus Josh Hammerstein '96 as the guest speaker at community assembly on Monday, Dec. 5. Hammerstein works at the Software Engineering Institute at Carnegie Mellon University, where he oversees the research agenda for the cyber workforce development team and focuses on initiatives that help to develop a skilled, competent workforce. Previously he worked as a senior analyst for the U.S. Government Accountability Office in Washington, D.C. Hammerstein spoke to students about the recent cyber attacks, the role the of the computer science field in the U.S. government, and the importance of the field in the future. He encouraged all students, specifically females, to explore the field. Hammerstein's visit was coordinated by Computer Science Department chair John Wizzard.

Computer science is part of Shady Side's curriculum in every grade, PK-12. Junior School students learn basic computer skills and are exposed to beginning coding activities using apps and programs such as Tynker, Kodable, Scratch Jr. and Scratch. Middle School students focus on computational thinking, introductory robotics and writing computer programs to solve problems using Scratch, Alice and Python. Senior School students take at least two terms of computer science, and course offerings include problem solving, AP computer science and advanced electives in game design, web design, robotics, mobile app development and discrete structures.

View the Junior School Hour of Code slideshow: