With so much to learn about computers and so little time, WFS is now offering a Computer Science major to help students get the full experience of the Computer Science program in one class. The Computer Science major will fast track the content that gets covered in other classes that Samuel Whittenburg teaches such as programming concepts, interactive systems, and smart machines. This class covers the different key concepts in each class, but at a much faster pace. To summarize, these computer classes are meant for you to design and experiment with computing. This may be in the form of a software that you may have to download like Arduino for robotics or Scratch to learn programming.

     Whittenburg states a brief summary of what the class will be in each semester, “The first semester is focused on programming and learning how to program. It is also about creating a major project by the end of the semester. By the second semester, as a whole, we learn how computers talk to each other how companies go about creating applications, products, and things like that.” Whittenburg also expresses why he wanted to make a Computer Science major in the first place, “Because when you teach an elective it only meets 3 times a cycle with early dismissals and other interruptions, it’s really hard to teach programming, for the same reason that foreign language is. Teaching a major to allow for more time to work allows students to become much more interested in learning.” Students are able to get the full experience of these electives, as well as being able to dive deeper into the material covered.

      Whittenburg’s prior statements seem to correlate with other students of Wilmington Friends as well. Ryan McWalter ’20 stated that in his opinion, “It is a good class, but it is fast paced and challenging.” McWalter says that he enjoys that challenge of the major and that it gives him joy whenever he goes to this class in particular. When asked if the class is worth the time and effort that comes with taking a full year course, McWalter responded that in all honesty, “I don’t know yet because I haven’t finished the course.” McWalter was also able to give an insider view to what the class is working on at the moment, “We basically are using loops in coding to make visual displays.” He also described that on a daily basis they, “Devote one class to one topic, one topic per day. The next day if we need to, we also go over homework he assigns us.” This student loves the class, and he’s not the only one that thinks so positively of the new major.

    Mark McMillan ’20 responded when asked if he would join the class with, “I would but I’m also working on some other stuff right now, I like the concept though, and would definitely join if I had more time.” This class, like other majors is a big time commitment. Students receive between 15 to 20 minutes of homework per night, and are expected to work diligently in class and treat it like any other major.  However despite this, it is no secret that the new major is a complete hit and will hopefully be here to stay in the upcoming years for anyone interested. In fact, another anonymous student “Looks interesting, a couple of my friends are doing it and they say that it’s fun, a good course to pursue.” Students are spreading the news of this new course, and it looks like, so far, it has been positively received.

      The new Computer Science major is something that anyone with an interest in programing and designing should invest their time in. This is a rewarding course, and what you put in is what you get out. Already, it has had a very highly praised from the community. This class is not only a great learning experience, but it’s also, simply put, a neat experience that gives one 21st century skills needed in the jobs of our society. Computing skills are a necessity and that’s exactly why it makes for one of the best new additional majors that Wilmington Friends School has to offer.