Livingston High School

AP Computer Science Principles introduces students to the central ideas of computer science and instills the central ideas and practices of computational thinking.  The course is designed to be an equivalent of a first semester introductory college computing course and will provide students with an overview of knowledge and practices that will enable students to develop creative computational artifacts and analyze computational data, information or knowledge.

Rather than focus on a specific programming language, this course focuses on using technology and programming in an iterative process similar to what artists, writers, computer scientists, and engineers use to bring ideas to life. Through class instruction and individual, as well as collaborative application of concepts, principles, and understandings to a series of design scenarios/problems, students will develop the language, knowledge, skills, and aptitudes to address computational-related issues. 

Major areas of study include: creativity and computing, abstraction, data and information, algorithms, programming, the internet, and the global impact of computing.

This course provides students with an understanding of the fundamental concepts related to communicating engineering-related technical information/design ideas.  Through a series of hands-on experiences, students will become familiar with the sketching, lettering scale drawing, print reading, visualization dimensioning and problem solving techniques used by engineers and designers.  Students will use CAD software throughout the course to produce a wide range of 2 and 3 dimensional drawings and solutions to engineering-related problems.

This course provides students with an understanding of the fundamental concepts related to communicating architecture-related technical information and design ideas.  Through a series of hands-on experiences, students will become familiar with the sketching, lettering, scale drawing, print reading, visualizations, and problem solving techniques used by architects, interior designers, and the building trades.  Students will become familiar with the process used to design and develop homes and will develop their own floor plan, cross section, elevation, and perspective drawings.  CAD software will be used throughout the course.

Visual/Graphic Communications provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the tools, techniques, and processes that allow one to effectively communicate ideas in a variety of visual and graphic modes.  Using a “graphic design” approach, students work with a variety of tools including cameras, film scanners, computer software, (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and printers/presses to produce photographs, page layouts, web page layouts, silkscreen prints, and other printed media.

Transportation and Automotive Systems provides students with an overview of transportation-related technologies and systems.  Through hands-on projects and assignments, students will become familiar with the design processes related to various types of vehicles and their impact on the consumer and society.  In addition, the course provides students with the basic knowledge needed to maintain automobiles in the 21^st century, including the use of contemporary computer-assisted diagnostic equipment.  Alternative fueled vehicles and power sources will be covered in the course.  Students perform lab assignments on their own vehicle or school-provided cars.  Career awareness and consumer knowledge are integrated throughout the course.