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Computational Thinking

Our Computational Thinking program  in Lower School includes educational technology integration, robotics, and coding. We teach our students ways to understand how a computer “thinks” and how they can work with technology to solve problems. This process helps students learn to break large or complex tasks into smaller steps, be creative problem-solvers, recognize patterns, and develop logical thinking, among other benefits.

Some examples of what this looks like in action are:

  • In first grade, we focus on unplugged activities, where students learn the mechanism of coding and computational thinking without using digital devices or tools. This foundational work is combined with group work (called pair programming) to help our youngest students learn how to collaborate, follow, and execute the direction correctly.
  • All students in grades 3-5 are introduced to coding using Scratch, a block-based coding program and language. This work helps students to learn the basics of computational thinking such as sequencing, pattern recognition, abstraction, and logical thinking.
  • In Lower School, we focus on creative robotics versus the competition robotics, which is introduced in Middle and Upper School. Students learn about robotics as a way of creating things and solving problems. This allows for every student to see themselves reflected in their code and creations, helping to pique the interest of everyone, not just select groups.