by Rose Hopkins

Naperville North High School, Naperville, IL

Alice and PythonA Great Combination for a Pre-AP

Class

Picture created by Kevin DohertyNaperville North HS

Naperville North High Schoolwestern suburb of Chicagoaround 3,000 studentspart of a unit school district with another high

school (middle schools and elementary schools feeding into it)

average ACT score of school is 25.4 (out of 36, IL avg around 20-21)

graduation rate is over 98%74% white, 5% black, 4% Hispanic, 16% Asian

Programming CoursesProgramming 1 (one semester)Programming 2 (one semester)AP Computer Programming--Java (prerequisite is

at least Programming 1)

Enrollment this year:Programming 1—two classes first semester, one

class second semester (74 students total)Programming 2—one class second semester (17

students)AP Computer Programming usually in the 20s

Alice and Python together this year

previously taught True Basic for beginning programming classes

curriculum jointly approved by both schoolsagreed to use both Alice and Python but had

some flexibilityI used 4-5 weeks of Alice at the beginning of

semester and did a few days of Alice events later (Programming 1)

Alice with mostly Python for Programming 2

What is Python? free easy-to-use programming language with an

IDE called IDLE, see www.python.orgcreator is Guido van Rossum, who works for

Google (one-third of Google’s code is in Python)can be object-oriented but didn’t use this until

Programming 2perfect “transition” language to Java (AP) – many

similarities, only easier (less syntax)

Programming 1 Schedule

Programming 2 Schedule (optional course for AP)

Advantages to these languages for a pre-AP class

looping the same as in Java (index starting at 0)Python’s “for ___ in ___” and Alice’s “for all in order”

like Java’s “for each” looppreviously learned concepts will help them understand:

lists (ArrayList)eventsobjects/properties/methodsin Java

have students learn recursion in Alice when doing recursion unit in Java (it’s easier!!)

Benefits to having bothreinforces programming concepts by seeing them

in two languagesallows students to work in Alice when they have

completed the Python lab assignments (good way to use their free time!)

allows some students to achieve at a higher level in Alice, some achieve higher level in Python

students seem happy with the combination

Participated in SpiritSurprising Possibilities Imagined and Realized

through Information TechnologySee SPIRIT website: www.ITPossibilities.orgSupported by a $1.26M grant from the National

Science Foundation, #DRL-0737679, 1/08-12/10 Attract more people to IT, especially womenIntervention programs for HS teachers, HS

counselors, and HS students

What are the goals of Spirit?Correct negative perceptions about IT

IT skills relevant to a broad range of disciplinesIT can benefit societyIT can be fun, welcoming, interestingBoth men and women can have successful careers

in ITLet participants try out and create many

interesting & useful applications of ITGive guidance on what to do now to have a

successful career in IT

Spirit continues this summer and next …

2-week teacher instituteWeek 1—Learn Alice and develop lesson plansWeek 2

Practice instructing students Participate in other activities to show IT's relevance to and support

of STEM disciplines

1-week program for counselors (during week 2 above)1-week summer camp for students (during week 2

above)SPIRIT contact: Alka Harriger

Phone: 765-494-2565Email: harrigea@purdue.eduwww.ITPossibilities.org