AP Computer Science Principles Framework
Computational Thinking

1. Connecting Computing
2. Creating Computational Artifacts
3. Abstracting
4. Analyzing Problems and Artifacts
5. Communicating
6. Collaborating

Big Ideas
Essential Questions

Creativity
How can a creative development process affect the creating of computational artifacts?
How can computing and the use of computational tools foster creative expression?
How can computing extend traditional forms of human expression and experience?

Abstraction
How are vastly different kinds of data, physical phenomena, and mathematical concepts represented on a computer?
How does abstraction help us in writing programs, creating computational artifacts, and solving problems?
How can computational models and simulations help generate new understanding and knowledge?

Data and Information
How can computation be employed to help people process data nad information to gain insight and knowledge?
How can computation be employed to facilitate exploration and discovery when working with data?
What considerations and trade-offs arise in the computational manipulation of data?
What opportunities do large data sets provide for solving problems and creating knowledge?

Algorithms
How are algorithms implemented and executed on computers and computational devices?
Why are some languages better than others when used to implement algorithms?
What kinds of problems are easy, what kinds are difficult, and what kinds are impossible to solve algorithmically?
How are algorithms evaluated?

Programming
How are programs developed to help people, organizations or society solve problems?
How are programs used for creative expression, to satisfy personal curiosity, or to create new knowledge?
How do computer programs implement algorithms?
How does abstraction make the development of computer programs possible?
How do people develop and test computer programs?
Which mathematical and logical concepts are fundamental to computer programming?

The Internet
What is the internet? How is it built? How does it function?
What aspects of the Internet’s design and development have helped it scale and flourish?
How is cyber security impacting the ever-increasing number of Internet users?

 
College Board. (2016). AP Computer Science Principles: Course and exam description. New York, NY: College Board.

​SASR1
Students will select a problem or question to focus research.
Element: SASR1.a
Record question and document literature review of research focus.
Element: SASR1.b
Define research hypothesis.
Element: SASR1.c
Present a proposal for focused research study including annotated bibliography validating the importance of the study.
 
SASR2
Students will establish protocols, based upon literature reviews for researching selected problem.
Element: SASR2.a
List laboratory and field equipment needed for study.
Element: SASR2.b
Define safety protocols required.
Element: SASR2.c
Define specific procedures required to prove or disprove hypothesis.
  
SASR3
Students will collect and record laboratory or field data based upon research question.
Element: SASR3.a
Establish formats for collecting and recording data.
Element: SASR3.b
Record data in systematic and acceptable manner.
Element: SASR3.c
Establish procedures for analysis of data (may require pilot study) based upon literature review and hypothesis.
  
SASR4
Students will draw conclusions based upon research studies.
Element: SASR4.a
Analyze data and compare with other appropriate studies.
Element: SASR4.b
Write analysis of research verifying or negating hypothesis.
Element: SASR4.c
Draw conclusions from research study that includes
implications from analyses,
applications of the study, and
needs for further studies.
  
SASR5
Students will present results at a juried event (e.g., at school, or local, regional, or national professional meeting).
Element: SASR5.a
Present a written, publishable paper complete with appropriately labeled tables, graphs, diagrams, and photographs.
Element: SASR5.b
Present an oral digital presentation or poster session display and outline, both the digital or poster presentations must include appropriately labeled tables, graphs, diagrams, and photographs.