STEM 1: Intro to Coding
The Acellus® STEM 1: Intro to Coding course is an exciting and interactive learning experience that introduces students to the world of programming while fostering the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Course Duration: Full Year
Category: STEM & Technology, Electives, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Grade Level: 3rd – 12th Grade
Assessment: Lesson Practice, Unit Exams, Mid-Term Exam, Final Exam
Language: English
Course Overview
In the Acellus STEM 1: Introduction to Coding course, students immerse themselves in the world of programming by using the Blockly coding language. This hands-on approach allows them to build programs by connecting intuitive, visual blocks, where each block represents a specific piece of code. By working with these blocks, students can focus on learning the core principles of programming without the complexity associated with traditional text-based programming languages.
This gradual progression not only keeps students engaged but also prepares them for more advanced coding environments in the future. The process of snapping blocks together helps solidify key concepts, allowing students to visualize how different elements of a program fit together.
Throughout their learning journey, students will explore a variety of essential coding concepts, including conditional statements, loops, and functions. These concepts are fundamental building blocks of programming and will serve as the stepping stones for more advanced coding tasks. By the time students complete the course, they will have developed a strong understanding of the logic behind programming, setting them up for success as they move on to more challenging coding languages and projects.
Video Based Lessons
These video based lesson are accessible and can be rewatched, making them a flexible learning option. Students can review the material whenever they need, which is helpful for reinforcing learning outside of classroom hours.
STEM 1: Intro to Coding – Practice Problems
These interactive practice problems offer an engaging, personalized, and effective way to learn, helping students deepen their knowledge, build confidence, and develop essential academic skills.
Meet Cellus Bot — a dancing, light-up teaching robot!
Used in just a few lessons of our STEM 1 – Introduction to Coding course, Cellus Bot helps bring coding to life. Students use fun, block-based coding to control its lights, sensors, and awesome dance moves — making learning both exciting and hands-on!
Memorization Drills
By regularly practicing these memorization drills, students strengthen their ability to remember and recall information.
STEM 1: Intro to Coding Lesson Plans
By the end of the course, students will have gained hands-on experience with debugging, program design, and using coding tools to create functional programs and creative projects like the Powered Lander Exercise and the Cellus Bot. Along the way, they’ve also learned about the historical figures and innovations that have shaped the evolution of technology, from the abacus to modern-day microprocessors. With a strong foundation in coding, students are now well-equipped to explore more advanced topics in programming and to apply their skills in the ever-evolving world of technology.
This course is part of the Acellus STEM-10 Program: Learn More