Welcome to Open House night with Mr. Minich
My teaching philosophy is....

to tap the students' natural enthusiasm and curiosity for computers and learning in teaching them life-skills in problem-solving

Only a percentage of my current students will eventually use the Java, Visual Basic, or C++ computer languages in their job. In fact, the languages and some of the programming methods are guaranteed to change in 10 years.

But, students will be able to analyze problems, plan and create solutions, test and debug results, and generalize solutions. Some say that computer science is "calculus with a graphical interface."

They will improve their logic and analytical skills as well as their ability to effectively communicate about technology. Syntax is important for efficiency. But thinking skills and knowledge of programming processes that provide quick and accurate answers are more important than memorization. Computer programming skills are based on the same logical foundations as mathematics itself.

Every student will become a self-confident, life-long learner able to master new, computer languages and technologies quickly and with agility.

  Opportunities for Wyo computer science students...
  • analyze problems in greater detail
  • become better listeners
  • learn patience and tenacity
  • learn how to quickly learn new technology
  • learn to think like a computer and intuitively predict how a computer will respond
  • take advantage of the great demand in the workforce for computer-related vocations
  • explore college majors that relate to computers & learn how computers tie into traditional majors like business, science, pre-med, communications, engineering, etc.
  • find a career that makes it exciting and rewarding to go to work each Monday morning
  • learn in-depth knowledge of how computers work (motherboard, RAM, chip, operating system issues, etc.)
  • earn AP credits for college

Our class web site at
              www.minich.com/education/wyo
includes grades, lecture notes, assignments, homework calendar, & much more

Course Sequence:

Visual Basic Programming -

9-12th graders may take this course. Highlights include using Visual Basic, an object-oriented, event-driven, professional-grade programming language to create a "Game Project". For two months, students design, code, debug, & document an actual computer game. Some projects end up being over 100 pages of code! Students learn how a computer "thinks" and its limitations. They hone their problem-solving skills, deductive reasoning, mental focus and stamina and they become agile learners.

AP/Honors Computer Sciece - Java -

10-12th graders may take this course. This college-level course leads to the national 3-hour College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science A exam in early May. Wyomissing students always score well above the national average which is especially impressive since most students are only sophomores! See our past scores here. Good AP scores often lead to college credits eliminating the need to take introductory computer programming courses. This course entails a lot of independent study and work on a home computer. A rule of thumb is to figure on having 3 hours of out of class work to do for every hour spent in class. A student can only take the AP level course if he/she earned an A in Visual Basic.

Honors Computer Science - Software Design -

11 & 12th graders may take this course. It is equivalent to a second-semester computer science college course! It entails lots of theory. I know of no other schools in Berks County that offer this course. It is equivalent to a math department's Calculus II course.

 

Our software is free!

Visual Basic students
microsoft.com/express/vb

Java students
eclipse.org/downloads

Software Design students
microsoft.com/express/vc

Gift ideas for all students:

In order for a student to be able to work on assignments at home and transfer files to school, he/she needs a USB flash drive. These can be purchased for as little as $6.

Gift ideas for AP Java students:

Each workbook is about $15 and can be ordered through a local bookstore or from Amazon.com.

 

Opportunities for students with computer science background:

  • Lots of opportunities for those with Visual Basic, Java, or C++ experience. Visit monster.com and search for "Visual Basic", "Java" to or "C++" to see for yourself.
  • Lots of opportunites to work for the federal government which has put an emphasis on hiring computer scientists for espionage, anti-terrorism, homeland security as well as traditional computer programming needs.
  • There are many excellent computer science-related majors to choose from small, large, local, and prestigious colleges and universities such as computer science, computer engineering, management information science (MIS), information technology (IT), computer information systems (CIS), and many others.
  • Computer science knowledge benefits students in many fields of study including engineering, business, medicine, law, teaching, and many others. In fact, majoring in another field but having a minor in computer science is very popular these days.
  • FEMALES - Computer science is
    ... especially important for solving today's social problems
    ... very creative
    ... team-oriented
    ... valued, respected, & flexible