Grades 9–12 Pathways

Project-based sequences covering simulation, civic data, and emerging tech so high school courses and clubs can run full-semester experiences.

Curriculum at a Glance

Built for AP CS, engineering academies, STEM clubs, and CTE pathways that need turnkey semester arcs.

3
Course Pathways
30
Sessions per Course
Hybrid
Devices: Unplugged → 1:1
CTE + AP
Alignment Notes Included

Pick Your Course Pathway

Each pathway packages a semester-ready sequence with mentor prompts, assessment tools, and flexible device requirements.

Foundations Studio

Scientific computing basics plus Python labs that fit AP CS Principles or engineering survey courses.

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Civic Data Sprint

Students investigate municipal datasets, build dashboards, and publish community briefs.

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Emerging Tech Residency

Simulation, GPU acceleration, and systems thinking challenges for advanced electives or clubs.

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Foundations Studio

Ten-week sequence with two 90-minute blocks per week. Ideal for AP CS Principles refreshers or engineering survey courses.

Course Overview

Focus on computational thinking, scientific Python, and ethical tech discussions with classroom-ready slides.

  • Essential questions: How do we model civic problems with code? Where do ethics show up in computation?
  • Core routines: warm-up provocations, paired programming, evidence journals
  • Featured labs: Scientific Python Starter, Modeling Local Climate Data

Resources & Differentiation

  • Notebook + Google Colab versions with instructor notes
  • Exit-ticket bank plus formative quizzes
  • Low-tech alternatives using printable manipulatives when devices are limited
  • Email contact@cscs.org for editable slides + rubrics

Civic Data Sprint

Eight-week sprint structure for academies, dual-enrollment programs, or after-school teams.

Course Overview

Student teams scope a local question, analyze open datasets, and present policy-ready recommendations.

  • Guiding themes: data ethics, stakeholder interviews, storytelling
  • Capstone: community briefing deck + GitHub repo
  • Lesson highlights: Open Data Sprint, mentorship playbooks

Resources & Differentiation

  • Dataset library with ready-to-use Colab notebooks
  • Peer critique protocols + gallery walk scripts
  • Embedded community partner email templates
  • Request access via contact@cscs.org

Emerging Tech Residency

Twelve-week advanced studio for honors tracks, competitions, or interdisciplinary capstones.

Course Overview

Teams explore simulation, GPU acceleration, and systems engineering through mentor-guided sprints.

  • Guiding themes: parallelism, system trade-offs, tech policy
  • Capstone: technical brief + live demo to advisory panel
  • Featured labs: Simulation Studio, GPU primer, digital twin mini-lab

Resources & Differentiation

  • Notebook + container bundles for campus labs or cloud sandboxes
  • Mentor call scripts, NDAs, and safety checklists
  • Extension prompts for competition teams
  • Email contact@cscs.org for the residency starter kit

Teaching Resources

Mix-and-match supports for whole courses, clubs, or enrichment blocks.

Lesson Plans & Slides

  • Editable Google Slides with facilitation cues and timing
  • Notebook walkthrough videos for flipped learning
  • Bell-ringer and exit-slip prompts for quick checks

Assessment & Reporting

  • CTE-style rubrics + AP-aligned scoring notes
  • Peer review frameworks and retrospective forms
  • Portfolio checklist for competition submissions

Professional Learning

  • Self-paced micro-credential for each pathway
  • Monthly office hours + Slack channel access
  • Co-teaching guides for librarians or industry mentors

Mentor Integration

  • Speaker roster + request workflows
  • Mentor briefing packets and student interviewer scripts
  • Community partnership MOUs

Flexible Delivery Modes

On-Campus

Lab-Ready Bundles

Pre-loaded notebooks, datasets, and facilitator notes for block schedules.

Includes LMS import files

Remote

Async/Hybrid Track

Student-facing Flip prompts, video mini-lessons, and pacing trackers.

Great for independent study

Dual Credit

Bridge Course Kit

Syllabi, articulation templates, and assessment banks for college credit pilots.

Requires partner campus approval

Assessment & Evidence Collection

Suggested Flow

  1. Run baseline skills + interest survey
  2. Capture weekly stand-ups or sprint notes
  3. Host midpoint design review with rubric language
  4. Publish final demos and reflective memos
  5. Submit highlight reel for CS² showcases

Tools Provided

  • Rubrics + comment banks in Google Docs and Sheets
  • Slide + video templates for student demos
  • Evidence tracker for work-based learning credits
  • Report-out template for administrators

Community & Career Connections

Mentors

Chapter Mentor Exchange

Match with CS² volunteers for code reviews, guest critiques, or office hours.

3–4 week lead time

Showcase

Expo Toolkit

Agenda, judging rubrics, and publicity templates for community showcases.

Includes student emcee scripts

Careers

Internship Bridge

Recommendation templates, resume rubrics, and partner referral forms.

Pairs well with Emerging Tech Residency

Bring CS² Courses to Your Campus

Tell us which pathway you’d like to pilot and we’ll share facilitator bundles, pacing guides, and mentor matches.