Computer Science, IT & Design
At Falcon Academy, the Computer Science, IT & Design program empowers learners to become innovative thinkers, ethical users of technology, and creative problem-solvers. Beginning in Grade 3 and continuing through the PYP and MYP years, our curriculum is built around the three-dimensional model of teaching and learning—concepts, skills, and content—with a strong emphasis on inquiry, collaboration, and purposeful creation.
In the PYP:
Learners are introduced to foundational digital literacy and the basics of design thinking. They learn to navigate digital tools confidently and responsibly, explore coding concepts through visual programming (e.g., Scratch), and apply their learning to projects that integrate with other subjects. Key concepts include systems, communication, innovation, and function, while essential skills involve typing, research, file management, basic coding, multimedia design, and safe online behavior.
Learners are guided through hands-on, age-appropriate tasks such as designing posters, building simple games, animating short stories, or coding interactive quizzes. Learners begin to understand that technology is not just for consumption, but for creation and problem-solving. Digital citizenship is woven throughout the curriculum to ensure learners understand how to use technology safely, ethically, and respectfully.
In the MYP:
As learners progress into the MYP, Computer Science, IT & Design becomes more interdisciplinary, inquiry-based, and solution-focused. Learners engage in the full design cycle—inquiring and analyzing, developing ideas, creating solutions, and evaluating outcomes. They explore more complex content areas such as computational thinking, app design, robotics, algorithms, data representation, user interface design, cybersecurity, 3D modeling, and website development.
Through real-world and simulated challenges, learners work collaboratively to design, prototype, and test solutions. Projects may include designing mobile apps for community needs, coding micro:bit or Arduino systems, creating websites to raise awareness on global issues, or building digital art portfolios. Conceptual learning is guided by big ideas such as efficiency, adaptability, systems, and sustainability.
Skills development is differentiated to support learners at varying levels of readiness—whether they are new to programming or more advanced in digital design. Learners also gain experience in time management, iterative thinking, user feedback, and project documentation, reflecting the real-world demands of technology and design industries.
Assessments are authentic, diverse, and learner-centered. Formative assessments may include coding walkthroughs, peer critiques, digital reflections, and usability testing. Summative assessments often culminate in design projects, prototypes, digital portfolios, or interactive presentations, where learners not only showcase their technical skills but also explain their creative and problem-solving processes. Learners are encouraged to demonstrate understanding in multiple modes—visually, orally, digitally, and through hands-on creation.
Across both PYP and MYP, Falcon Academy’s Computer Science, IT & Design program builds learners’ confidence to engage with and shape the technologies of tomorrow. By fostering curiosity, resilience, and design-minded thinking, our learners are prepared not just to navigate the digital world, but to lead and innovate within it.
