Computer Science for Kids

A kid-friendly and rigorous new way to teach young readers the fundamentals of computer science In Computer Science for Kids: A Storytelling Approach, AWS Head of Academic Advocacy and Google Developer Expert Dr. Jen Looper delivers a colorful, fun, and exciting demonstration for young readers who want to learn the basics of computer science. Using a variety of technologies, the book covers the elements of computer science in concise detail and illustrates how to build projects to learn foundational concepts behind the technology powering the internet. In the book, you’ll find projects to build using both basic and emerging technologies—like SQL, game development, storytelling software, and 3D augmented reality—as well as: Chapter projects aligned to K-12 curriculum standards for grades 6-8 and a GitHub repo featuring open-source projects Lesson plans for teachers An online space for classrooms to showcase and discuss their work An easy-to-follow and kid-friendly new resource for technology-curious middle school students, Computer Science for Kids is the fun and interesting web development resource that classroom teachers, parents, and homeschooling families have been waiting for.

Introduction xv How to Contact Wiley or the Author xxi Preface 1 I The Missing Fireflies 3 1. The Trapper 5 2. The Firefly Refuge 23 3. The Fireflies’ Message 35 4. A Home for All 49 II the Glowing Moss 61 5. Goblin’s Gold 63 6. Securing the Moss 83 7. The Whisper Network 97 8. A Well- Tested Solution 109 III Geode Quest 121 9. Searching for Geodes 123 10. Cleaning and Categorizing the Collection 137 11. The Stone Library 155 12. Hide or Seek 171 IV the Petrified Forest 183 13. The Petrified Forest 185 14. The Butterfly Brigade 201 15. Power of the Weak 215 16. The Written Artifact 227 V Legends of the Field Mice 241 17. The Field Mice 243 18. Lights, Sounds, Action 273 19. Unlocking the Vault 291 20. The Real World 307 Index 317