MCS adds another computer science class to AP subjects

For the 2021-2022 school year, eligible Mount Carmel School high school students will be able to take the new Advanced Placement Computer Science A course with course instructor and vice principal Filmah Buenaflor.

The AP Computer Science A course and exam focus on leveraging programming in Java to solve problems. Students cultivate their understanding of coding by analyzing, writing, and testing code to explore concepts like modularity, variables, and control structures.

The AP Computer Science Principles, which will be offered this academic year, is different from the newly introduced AP Computer Science A.

The AP Computer Science Principles course complements AP Computer Science A and focuses on the broader aspects of computing. Students learn to design and evaluate solutions and apply computer science to solve problems through algorithms and programs. They incorporate abstraction into programs and use data to discover new knowledge. Students also explain how computing innovations and computing systems, including the internetwork, explore the potential impacts of these innovations and contribute to a computing culture that is collaborative and ethical.

Additionally, the AP Exams for the two courses have different formats. AP Computer Science A has one end-of-course exam with multiple-choice and free-response questions. AP Computer Science Principles includes the Create performance task completed during the course and an end-of-course multiple-choice exam.

Buenaflor underscored the importance of offering another AP computer science course to Mount Carmel School, saying, “Today’s job market is increasingly in need of individuals trained in the computer science profession. Many of our students have expressed an interest in computer science and other STEM [science, technology, engineering, and mathematics] fields. It is important to us that we work toward providing more AP courses that will directly benefit their transition to a postsecondary institution and prepare them to succeed in college.”

At this time, Mount Carmel School currently offers AP Calculus, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Computer Science A, AP English, and AP U.S. History.

Acting MCS president Frances Taimanao said the school makes an effort to provide more courses that will interest students and will be beneficial to their plans after graduation. “We are excited to offer AP Computer Science A this school year. After reviewing the AP course catalog, we are encouraging many of our instructors to also expand their capacity as advanced placement instructors. We are looking forward to more AP classes to be offered in the future.”

For more information, visit www.mountcarmelsaipan.com. (PR)