What is Computer Science?
Computer Science is a scientific and practical approach to computation and its applications.
What does it mean?
It’s a mindset. It’s a method of thinking you can get to lead projects, to do and build things. It’s an attitude you can teach and learn. It takes time, and there are methods to learn it.
Computation is the act or process of computing. Computing is any goal-oriented activity requiring, benefiting from, or creating algorithmic processes—e.g. through computers.
Its applications are wide. It involves the study of:
- data and data structures and the algorithms
- principles of computer architecture – both hardware and software
- problem-solving and design methodologies
- computer-related topics such as numerical analysis, operations research, and artificial intelligence
- language design, structure, and translation technique
Computer Science provides a foundation of knowledge for students with career objectives.
As you can see, it’s a bit complex. And there has to be simple tools to give kids the frame of mind related to computer science. We call this computational thinking.
Our goal then is to spread the concept of computer science in education. To begin with, we believe it’s important to understand what is computer science. We created a specific workshop this summer in Hong Kong and we want to extend it. We spent some time with kids to discuss and play around the concepts within Computer Science.
We offered our first Computer Science Summer Camp for one primary school and two secondary schools this summer in Hong Kong. Students from The Salvation Army Lam Butt Chung Memorial School,The Jockey Club EduYoung College and Qualied College have learned the basics of computer sciencethrough programming and game making in a fun and happy way.
The Summer Camp lasted for 3 days, with a 2-hour session on each day.
On day one, students were first introduced to the different concepts of computer science. They got familiar with basic programming concepts. They played some paper and digital mind games.
On day two, we moved onto Kodu Game Lab, a 3D game making software. Students learnt the basic and advanced features of Kodu Game Lab while having fun.
Everyone managed to use the programming skills that they had learnt. As a result, they designed and built their first ever digital games.
We believe this is an efficient way to teach and learn the basics of computer science.
Machines are part of our lives, and to make the most of it, teaching computer science makes sense. The ones who will understand computers and how they work, will be the ones with the opportunities. When you manage to get computers do what you want them to do, then you have power. It requires hands-on experience and a lot of work.
FifthWisdom wants to give you the tools to develop a different mindset. We will work with teachers and parents to introduce a broad understanding of computer science and the art of programming.
It will consist of 12 hours of classes divided in 4 units. You can register to it via email (get in touch with us at [email protected]) and we will release soon a more detailed overview of what it is! Stay tuned.
Frankie
PS: in case you want to join the discussion online, use #ComputerScienceforALL so we can follow you!