As head of the AIClub Research Institute, I have decided that we will offer support to students who want to learn AP CS Principles. This blog explains why we came to this decision, and why we feel this is an important service to help students thrive in an AI powered workforce.
What is AP CS Principles?
AP CS Principles is a program defined by the College Board, in which students learn the concepts of Computer Science, covering topics such as Design Thinking, Data, Visualizaton, Networking, CyberSecurity, AI etc. Students also complete a “Create Task”, where they are expected to select, design, and develop a computer program of their choice.
How does AP CS Principles differ from AP CSA?
The courses are very different. AP CS Principles covers the concepts of computer science, and gives students exposure to the many subfields that make up the Computer Science domain. While the course includes coding, the course itself is language agnostic, and the Create Task can be constructed in one of several approved programming languages. AP CSA, on the other hand, is based on Java, and students learn in-depth concepts of Java in particular and object-oriented programming in general. All examples are in Java, and the exam tests your understanding of object-oriented programming concepts as expressed in Java code.
Why AP CS Principles now?
As you can see above, the two courses are quite complementary. However, the explosion of AI has made AP CS Principles more critical than before. When AIs can write code, it is very important that students have the higher level domain knowledge of Computer Science to put code written (by themselves or by an AI) into the broader context of the problem being solved. AP CS Principles teaches students how to solve problems by factoring in design, impact, ethics, and other elements that make a piece of software a solution, and putting any code they write or read, into this context,
A non-trivial part of the value is also the option to select a programming language. At AIClub, we will only teach AP CS Principles in Python. We do this because Python is the language of AI. We also provide mechanisms for students to explore the Create Task using AI and Python, enabling them to acquire skills that will serve them well in an AI-driven environment.
The bigger picture, and learning to think with tools
Given the advances in AI, it is critical that students be able to function productively in an environment where they are not just writing code but working collaboratively with others (human or AI) to develop solutions. This bigger picture view is well communicated by AP CS Principles. As someone who got their Ph.D in Computer Science, I can say there is far more to Computer Science than coding. It is a massive field covering security, algorithms, databases, networks, data, and more. It is time for even K-12 students to explore the joys of Computer Science that reach well beyond code, into entire systems, problem solving that factors in systems design, scale, ethics, users, and real-world challenges.
Won’t they learn this in college?
Yes, they should. However, given the advances in technology such as AI, the sooner they appreciate this scope the better. It will also help them in college, whether it is to start CS research, pick the right courses, or know what else is out there to explore.
What will AIClub offer?
In our initial offering through the AIClub Research Institute, I will personally guide a selected group of students through AP CS Principles in 1:1 sessions where we can cover any aspect of the curriculum or dive deep into any topic. I hope that I can share my love for Computer Science with these students, and help them find joy and passion in the subject that will enable them to later thrive in Computer Science or related fields.
We will use Python for examples. Our team will teach you how to do a Create Task of your choice combining AP CSP requirements and AI. We will also help you prepare for the AP CS Principles exam administered by College Board.
If you are interested, book a consultation here.
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