What's happening: Middle school students in Mr. Frisch's Computer Science class showcased their innovative semester projects this week, demonstrating their ability to blend coding skills with educational content.
The eighth graders developed interactive tutorials covering a diverse range of topics, highlighting both their technical abilities and creative thinking.
The student-designed programs included several standout projects that made learning engaging and accessible. One student created a virtual Minecraft zoo exhibit, while another developed an interactive algebra tutorial complete with a self-paced quiz system. Other notable projects included an educational game testing knowledge of World War II history and a step-by-step guide to baking cookies.
Steps to success: Students submit a proposal outlining their chosen topic, project vision, and selected programming application.
👨💻 After exploring various computer science tools during the semester, they create and record a screencast tutorial demonstrating their project.
👩💻 They document their progress through daily journals and complete a final self-assessment with rubric and reflection questions.
This project encompasses several of the competencies including content mastery, critical thinking, communication, creativity, responsibility, academic mindset, self direction, empathy, adaptability, and reflection.
What they’re saying: “This project is a great way for students to apply what they learned in my class to create something tangible that they and other students can use for another class. It also allows students to be creative while showing content mastery in multiple subjects.” - Joshua Frisch, Smith Middle School.
Why it matters: The projects exemplify how modern computer science education allows students to combine their personal interests with practical coding skills. By creating tutorials that teach real-world concepts, the students not only demonstrated their programming abilities but also gained experience in breaking down complex topics into understandable steps.