It's an exciting time in Computing Science worldwide, with advances currently being made that were only dreamed of a few years ago. Computers are making further and further inroads into everyday life and Douglas Academy Computing Science Department aims to educate our pupils on the theory and practical work laid out in the new curriculum as well as opportunities available in the world of technology.
We also like to show our pupils alternative ways to engage with Computational Thinking and part of this is the annual Bebras Challenge. This is an international project in which participating pupils spend a period each November answering questions that test their logical thinking and problem solving skills. Feedback is always positive and we have had a number of S2 and S3 pupils who scored in the top 10% of all UK pupils!
Our S6 pupils take part in Community Involvement by helping older members of the community with IT skills. We liaise with Milngavie library for this project and it takes place on the first Tuesday of every month.
We have a STEM partnership with Glasgow University involving 4th year undergraduate Computing Science students. This joint venture encourages university students to gain a module by working with teachers and pupils in school for a period of five days. During that time the ambassador delivers Computing Science workshops and gives pupils an insight into the world of Computing Science.
"Computer Science is no more about computers than astronomy is about telescopes"
Edsger Dijkstra
In their early years at Douglas Academy, pupils will get plenty of hands-on experience with computers. They learn the basics of computer coding as well as an overview of the systems that make up a computer. In the Computing Science Department, we want to encourage our pupils to understand that Computer Science is more about recognising how to solve problems than simply knowing facts about computers.
Our pupils learn that a computer is just a tool. And if they learn how to use that tool properly, a whole world of opportunity is waiting for them.