News

  1. [March 2016] Paper on the relationship between initialization in imperative languages and Scratch, a visual block-based language, and what that means for transitioning from Scratch to C, C++, or Java.
  2. [March 2016] Paper on our use of Universal Design for Learning, in our curriculum and learning environment, as well as accommodations, and modifications by teachers in the classrooms.
  3. [Feb 2016] DEPICT in the news! Our research project made the local Santa Barbara news for our CS for All work in elementary schools.

Welcome

KELP-CS is a modular curriculum for 4th-6th graders created by an interdisciplinary research team at UC Santa Barbara. Each of our modules consists of 16 hours of instruction, and can be used for each grade level. The first module introduces students to block-based programming and digital storytelling. The second develops these programming skills further and teaches students about game design.

Moreover, KELP-CS emphasizes engineering design thinking, the process by which engineers develop innovative solutions to problems. Design thinking is a core part of new science standards for K-12 students, the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and involves understanding the problem, generating ideas, selecting an idea based on multiple constraints, and improving the idea. We see design thinking overlapping with computer science in ways that allow students to access each in new and exciting ways!

Module 1: Digital Storytelling

Module 1 is intended as a 4th, 5th, or 6th grader's first introduction to computational thinking and programming. Students learn general programming concepts in the context of a particular language and programming environment (LaPlaya). As students learn and practice these concepts, they apply them to their animated story, satisfying design thinking standards.

Materials for Module 1 were developed and tested during 2013-14 . Classrooms throughout California implemented during the 2014-15 academic year.

Computational Thinking Programming
Sequencing items Sequential Programming
Problem decomposition Breaking Down Actions
Algorithm Design Event-Driven Programming
Abstraction Initialization
Thinking like a Developer     Animation: Costume Changes
Animation: Scene Changes

Module 2: Game Design

Module 2 is geared towards 5th grade and builds off of module 1. Students learn the different skills needed to design a game in LaPlaya. Throughout the activities, students brainstorm, plan, and execute their own games for others to play.

We are currently finalizing materials for Module 2 to test in classrooms during Winter/Spring 2015.

Thinking Topics Programming Topics
Features of engaging games Messaging
Writing good directions Loops
Managing multiple logic statements   Sensing / Decisions
Increasing complexity of programs Variables
Thinking about the user