Computer Science for Kids

Introduction

When you think about computer science, what pops into your head? Someone crouched over a computer, typing code all night long? Someone in a room full of computers, messing around with wires? Someone solving long mathematical equations by writing a lot of hard‐to‐understand computer programs? Does that person look like you?

What if you thought about computer science in a different way—as a way to solve mysteries? Isn't it more fun to think about yourself as an intrepid explorer, out to solve challenging puzzles by writing clever bits of software? Can you see yourself as the hero or heroine of a story, ready to slay the dragons of slow, buggy, hard‐to‐read software and make the world a little more pleasant by means of great user design and well‐functioning programs?

In this book, you'll be given the opportunity to become a helper—someone who is able to solve challenges by writing computer programs. Summoned by a mysterious figure who emerges from a forest and asks for your help, you are invited to participate in a series of tasks to make this forest a little safer and more hospitable for its native inhabitants.

Are you up to the task?

Computer Science Teachers Association Standards

This book is structured using the Computer Science Teachers Association standards for Grades 6–8, covering ages 11–14. These standards are available at https://csteachers.org. In general, they are arranged around five concepts:

• Algorithms & Programming
• Computing Systems
• Data & Analysis ...