My daughter has decided (at least for the moment) that she wants to do a science project next year in computer science. Here is the catch she will be in sixth grade next year. I am afraid that if I don�t use tools that will help me keep it at her level, I will turn her off in about a week. I am looking for books, websites, DVD�s or other ideas that can help us start the learning process. It seems to me that if she can grasp the basics of the list below, she would have enough knowledge to create some type of computer science experiment.
Concept of a variable and an array Concept of a decision statement Concept of a loop Concept of basic sequential file I/O
Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Pauline McNamara
Sheriff
Joined: Jan 19, 2001
Posts: 4011
posted
0
Hi Steve, welcome to Javaranch!
That's pretty cool that your daughter wants to, first, do a science project at all, and second, do it in computer science. A couple of links to conversations on tools:
I think you're right to be wary of scaring her off. Along those lines, I'd suggest reversing the order of attack: instead of aiming first at necessary concepts, start with the experiment itself (that's the fun stuff after all).
Help come up with a fun project that's not too complicated, and figure out what she would need to learn to do it (and not an iota more), in small, instant-gratification-size chunks. That's just my 2 cents of course, but I think we easily get stuck on the theory-first-fun-practice-later order of teaching...
Cheers, Pauline
Ilja Preuss
author
Sheriff
Joined: Jul 11, 2001
Posts: 14112
posted
0
Steve, why did you pick Java as the programming language?
The soul is dyed the color of its thoughts. Think only on those things that are in line with your principles and can bear the light of day. The content of your character is your choice. Day by day, what you do is who you become. Your integrity is your destiny - it is the light that guides your way. - Heraclitus
0
