Computing by Design (CxD)
Computing by Design (CxD) is a collection of project guidebooks for use in high school computer science courses. In each project, student teams collaboratively design and build a solution to a problem within a particular context using a specific technology.
Project Guidebooks
The CxD guidebooks are designed for use by students and teachers alike. Each project guidebook has an associated code guidebook that provides coding tutorials and references.
PROJECT TITLE
PROJECT DURATION
12+ Weeks
16 Weeks
16 Weeks
16 Weeks
16 Weeks
8+ Weeks
These projects are designed to follow the research-based "Gold Standard" model of Project Based Learning (PBL) developed by the Buck Institute of Education. Visit BIE's PBLWorks website for more information and resources on PBL.
In parallel to each project, we also recommend students create and share one or more research reports on topics in computing:
Trends and Innovations in Computing
Privacy and Ethics in Computing
Degrees and Careers in Computing
The CxD curriculum materials are free to use, share, or adapt for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons license. Our team periodically updates the CxD materials to improve them, so be aware that revisions may occur.
Student Outcomes
Computing by Design projects emphasize computational thinking, design thinking, and project management. Throughout each project, students will engage in creative thinking, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration.
Computing by Design projects are intended to show students there are many paths to working in technology and to help them find their own pathway to success.
The goals of Computing by Design include:
Broaden student enrollment in computer science courses
Help students become creators and innovators of technology
Help students develop the skills essential for success in the 21st century
Increase the number of students pursuing degrees and careers in technology
Copyright and License
Copyright © 2015-2025 by Jim Lyst and Michael Frontz, Indiana University Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering at Indianapolis.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. You are free to use, share, or adapt this material for non-commercial purposes as long as you provide proper attribution and distribute any copies or adaptations under this same license.
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