Nevada Middle School Computer Science

Course Overview

To view the entire syllabus, click here or click to explore the full course.

MODULES - 14

• Digital Citizenship and Cyber Hygiene

  Students learn topics on Internet etiquette and how to stay safe on the world wide web. Students will look at the potential effects of their digital footprints, how to protect information from online risks, and the importance of creative credit.

• Project: Public Service Announcement

  Students create a Public Service Announcement (PSA) to teach their peers about digital citizenship and cyber hygiene.

• Programming with Turtle Graphics

  Students learn Python commands, functions, and control structures by drawing shapes on their screen and solving puzzles with Turtle Graphics!

• Web Design

  Students learn the basics of HTML, CSS, and the processes involved in viewing web pages on the internet.

• Project: Your First Website

  Students make their own homepage, hosted at their own custom URL!

• Networking Fundamentals

  This module explores the structure and design of the internet and networks, and how this design affects the reliability of network communication, the security of data, and personal privacy. We will learn how the Internet connects computers all over the world. Finally, we will explore basic networking protocols, practical networking, and how networks are secured.

• Project: Secure the Company's Network

  Students propose cybersecurity solutions for a company facing network security breaches.

• Introduction to Programming with Karel the Dog

  Students learn foundational skills in programming with Karel by simplifying JavaScript to four simple commands. Using these commands, students solve increasingly difficult problems and explore how complex programming languages can be developed from simple commands.

• Digital Information

  Students learn about the various ways we represent information digitally.

• Software Security

  In this module, students will learn what happens when running a web application and how to look inside web apps using developer tools, source code, and more. They will learn basic SQL and common attacks like SQLi. Students will also be able to recommend solutions for flawed security systems.

• The ABCs of Cryptography

  In this module, we will dive into the history of cryptography systems, the motivation behind using encryption systems, and basic cryptography systems. Additionally, we will explore topics on how to use cryptography, cryptology, and cryptanalysis to decode a message without the use of a key. Finally, we will look into more advanced cryptographic topics like public key cryptography and hash functions.

• Project: Classic Cipher Newscast

  Students develop and present a newscast on a classic cipher.

• The Internet

  Students explore the structure and design of the internet, and how this design affects the reliability of network communication, the security of data, and personal privacy.

• Project: The Effects of the Internet

  Students choose an innovation that was enabled by the Internet and explore the effects of this innovation.