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Parsippany Troy Hills School District

Implementation of the Computer Science and Design Thinking Standards

Kathy Effner

Lead Math Teacher - Parsippany High School

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Kathy Effner - Parsippany High School Lead Math Teacher

BS in Computer Science with a minor in Math from Montclair University
MBA in Management from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Florham Park
Worked for AT&T, HP, NCR and a small manufacturing software company
Teaching Certificate in Math from Ramapo University
Worked for

- Pequannock for 2 years

- Parsippany Hills High School for 4 years

- Parsippany High School for 12 years

- I teach: AP CS A, AP CS Principles, Honors Data Structures and Geometry

- Married, 3 children

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Parsippany Troy Hills School District’s

First Strategic Goal

➢ Our district will create an innovative and rigorous educational experience in a borderless learning community that produces creative students who are problem solvers and self-directed individuals.

One of the ways we will accomplish this:

Increase STEM opportunities at all grade levels

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Elementary School Implementation of the Computer Science and Design Thinking Standards

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Grades 1 - 5 Computer Science

Given as the first unit in Science in every grade

Two parts - Computer Science and Engineering Design Thinking

Concepts spiral from year to year so the students will be able to hear and understand the vocabulary

Each class will have a culminating, problem-solving activity which will demonstrate the requirements at that class level

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1st GRADE	2nd GRADE	3rd GRADE	4th GRADE	5th GRADE
Computer Science How to be Safe, Responsible and Respectful online. Functions of common hardware and software Engineering and Design Thinking How engineers use Math What engineers do What is the Engineering Design Process and how does it work	Computer Science Digital Citizenship and general internet safety How and why to give credit to other people’s work Engineering and Design Thinking Technology exploration of hardware Comparing designs	Computer Science Introducing an online community - how to act in this new world and be safe? How my posts affect my identity Engineering and Design Thinking How hardware and software work together to form a solution Testing and improving solutions	Computer Science How we find healthy media choices What info about you is ok to share online Using search engines Having positive fun Engineering and Design Engineering Thinking How we use technology to solve problems How we use common troubleshooting strategies to solve problems	Computer Science How we model good Digital Citizenship Engineering and Design Thinking How we determine the criteria and constraints of a successful solution How compare, test and improve solutions.

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Middle School Implementation of the Computer Science and Design Thinking Standards

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6th - 8th Grade Electives

(all courses are 1 marking period unless stated otherwise)

6th Grade	7th Grade	8th Grade
Tech Explorations	Multi-Media Production and Design	Multi-Media Production and Design (2 Marking Periods)
Introduction to Engineering	Aerospace & Mechanical Design	Environmental Engineering
	Introduction to Coding	Course Coding & Game Design
	Robotic Engineering 1	Robotics Engineering 1
	Young Makers	Robotics Engineering 2

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High School Implementation of the Computer Science and Design Thinking Standards

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Skills we want to offer at the High School Level

Introductory Level through Advanced so students can explore Computer Science where they are and grow with it
Options in both hardware and software to try in meet the needs of as many students as possible
CISCO certification is possible or at least progress towards that during their high school years.
4 different language are offered to support our students as they go off to college
2 AP courses are offered so students can learn to work at a college level and earn some college credits
Dual enrollment is being explored for possible college credits as well.
Honors Data Structures is offered to those students who complete AP CSA and want to get a jump on a challenging college course

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High School Electives

INTRODUCTORY	INTERMEDIATE	ADVANCED
Python	C++	AP CSA
C++	AP CSP	AP CSP
Robotics		Honors Data Structures
AP CSP
CISCO Networks	CISCO Switching and Routing	CISCO Enterprise Systems

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Additional STEM Opportunities

STEM Pathways Endorsement on their diplomas is possible
STEM Pathways Endorsement with Distinction on their diplomas is possible
NSTEM honor society
Senior Internships have started this year with expected growth next year (all of them?)
Many STEM clubs are available for students to join (it is a requirement of STEM Pathways

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Thank you!

Questions?

CONTACT INFORMATION:

KATHY EFFNER

PARSIPPANY HIGH SCHOOL

keffner@pthsd.net