VIRGINIA IS THE FIRST STATE TO REQUIRE COMPUTER SCIENCE AND CODING PROFICIENCY

70% of the new jobs in science, technology, engineering and math, the so-called STEM areas, require a background in computer science. In Fairfax County, computer science classes can be applied to math, science, language, or fine arts credit!

Coding Professional Patrick Bourlett will share his coding interests and skills with our students this summer. Either independently or in conjunction with another MLS tutoring service, Patrick will offer the following classes.  

Students intending to take AP Computer Science:  Patrick is familiar with the curriculum, its organization and its pitfalls.  He is structuring a pre-teaching course to introduce the “trickiest” concepts, producing a working familiarity.

1. 10-15 hrs:
   1. The basics of coding environments (including how the compiler works, errors, inputs/outputs), Basic Data Types, variables, basic Class initialization, and methods.
   2. Prepares students for the first month of the AP computer science class
2. 20-30 hrs:
   1. Also Boolean logic, if statements, for and while loops,
   2. One medium project, students will be able to create their own self-contained programs.
   3. Covers first quarter of AP computer science class
3. 36-40 hrs:
   1. Cover Classes and begin inheritance
   2. Create independent project

High School Students: Entry Level students will be introduced to some of the most widely used languages in professional programming while learning the basic concepts of coding and team-based product design.

More advanced students will be immersed in modular coding techniques while learning how to design and implement larger projects. Completion of this program will prepare students to meet the expectations of professional developers. This option provides the opportunity for the student to get introduced to their own preferred subsection of computer science including: animation, hardware, web development, and data mining.

Notes: the goal of this second section is not to teach a complete course, but to give someone enough experience to know if they want to continue in the field and have an actual product to show for their efforts.