Curriculum and Study Topics

To prepare for the Computer Science Category, students are encouraged to study independently using the topic list provided for their grade level. These topics are designed to build essential digital literacy, coding, and problem-solving skills, guiding learners from fundamental computer concepts to the basics of programming and computational thinking.

Computer Science Sample Questions

Level 1: Grades 4-5-6 (CS Pioneers)

Computer & IT Concepts

• Parts of a computer – learn about the monitor, keyboard, mouse, CPU, and speakers
• Input vs output devices – understand how we give information to a computer and how it responds
• Binary basics – a simple introduction to 0s and 1s
• Hardware vs software – know the difference between the physical parts of a computer and the programs it runs
• Storage types – explore USB drives, hard drives (HDD), and the basics of cloud storage
• Computer networks – understand Wi-Fi and routers in simple terms
• File formats – learn about common types like .docx, .jpg, and .mp3
• Internet basics – how to use a browser, search engines, and URLs safely
• Online safety & cybersecurity – recognize viruses, create strong passwords, and spot phishing attempts
• Productivity tools – practice creating documents, spreadsheets, and presentations with MS Office or Google Workspace 
  

Coding Concepts

• Block coding basics – learn to create programs using visual coding tools like Scratch or Blockly
• Sequences – put instructions in the correct order to make things happen
• Loops (repeat) – make actions happen multiple times automatically
• Conditionals (if/then) – make decisions in code based on conditions
• Variables – store and use information in your programs
• Functions / procedures – organize code into reusable steps
• Debugging – find and fix mistakes in your code
• Directions & movement – control objects to move up, down, left, or right
• Logical operators (and/or/not) – combine conditions to control behavior
• Coordinate plane movement – move objects using x and y positions
• Animation & sprites – create interactive stories, games, and animations 
  

Problem-Solving

• Shapes, patterns, and counting – use math and patterns to solve problems in coding
• Coordinates – understand basic grids and positions for moving objects
• Pseudocode – write simple step-by-step instructions in plain language before coding
• Flowcharts – create simple diagrams to plan programs using start, arrows, and decisions 
  

Level 2: Grades 7-8-9 (CS Explorers)

Intermediate Computer Science

• Operating systems – understand the basics of Windows, Mac, and Linux
• Memory and storage – learn about RAM, ROM, cache, and the difference between SSD and HDD
• CPU and GPU basics – what they do and why they matter
• Networking fundamentals – understand LAN, WAN, and the idea of IP addresses
• Data transfer & internet concepts – a simple introduction to how networks work
• Data compression – learn why files can be smaller and the difference between lossless and lossy formats
• Cybersecurity basics – understand simple encryption and two-factor authentication (2FA)
• Productivity and data tools – practice using Excel or Google Sheets for graphs and basic data analysis

Programming & Algorithms

• Introduction to Python – learn how to write simple text-based programs
• Variables and data types – store and use numbers, text, and lists
• Loops and conditionals – repeat actions and make decisions in your code
• Functions – organize code into reusable blocks
• Lists and dictionaries – store and manage collections of information
• File input/output – read from and write to simple files
• Web basics – learn how websites work and create simple pages with HTML and CSS
• Internet concepts – understand how HTTP/HTTPS works
• Simple algorithms – learn basic ways to search and sort data
• Introduction to recursion – a function calling itself for simple tasks
• Logic gates – understand basic AND, OR, NOT logic for decision-making
• Database basics – learn how information is stored in tables with rows and columns

Computational Thinking

• Pseudocode – write simple step-by-step instructions to plan your program
• Flowcharts – use diagrams with decisions and loops to show how a program works
• Modular programming basics – learn how to break big problems into smaller, manageable parts

Level 3: Grades 10-11-12 (CS Masters)

Advanced Computer Science

• Learn how computers and operating systems manage hardware and software
• Understand how the CPU and memory work together to process data
• Explore how computer networks connect devices and send information
• Discover key internet protocols like TCP/IP and HTTPS
• Understand the basics of cybersecurity, encryption, and data protection
• Learn how data is stored and managed in databases (SQL and NoSQL)
• Explore cloud computing and how it allows remote access to data
• Use Git and version control to collaborate and track code
• Work with key data structures such as lists, stacks, queues, and trees
• Learn how to evaluate code efficiency using Big-O notation
• Discover how APIs and JSON help applications share data
• Introduction to artificial intelligence and machine learning with Python

Programming

• Python programming – work with functions, loops, and organizing code
• Introduction to classes and objects – basic ideas of object-oriented programming
• Writing reusable code – simple examples of functions calling other functions (recursion)
• Handling errors in programs – learn to detect and fix mistakes
• Reading and saving files – basic file input/output
• Sorting and searching data – simple ways to organize and find information

Competitive & Project Skills

• Debugging programs – find and fix errors in your code
• Writing clean code – organize programs clearly and add comments
• Problem-solving – practice solving problems in different ways
• Small projects – apply your skills to create mini-apps, games, or tools
• Algorithmic challenges – work on puzzles and exercises to strengthen logic
• Introduction to ethical hacking – learn how to find security issues safely