By JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer
SOUTH BRUNSWICK – Students at South Brunswick High School are preparing for a global economy by delving deeper into the field of computer science.
Math teacher Steven Schiff, who first started teaching computer science during the 2009-10 school year, teaches mobile application development to 87 students who have a background in Advanced Placement (AP) computer science, directing students to make apps of their own for Androids and tablets.
“Last year when I announced the course, there was a lot of excitement. This year, when I tell the students what we are going to work on next, I see them smile and talk about what they are going to do. I really like teaching and I often find myself smiling along with them,” he said.
With a degree in environmental and business economics and computer science from Rutgers University, and a Masters in education from Arkansas State University, Schiff taught himself how to design apps using online tutorials and an online course.
“The idea is to teach concepts but to make it as fun as possible,” he said.
Instead of written tests, the students will individually make apps for each topic covered using Java programming language, coding and Android Studio. For example, when the class covered buttons, they made a calculator. When they cover sensors, they will make a game where the user can control objects by tilting the phone or tablet. They are also working on a weather app and a GPS system.
The development could take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on the complexity of the app.
“I want them to see how developers actually do it,” he said. “I think [students] like being able to apply some of these topics that were theoretical.”
By the end of the school year, Schiff said he hopes to be able to put the apps on Google Play.
“The important thing for me is that the students have fun, and they’re learning while they’re doing it,” he said.
Currently, the high school offers an introductory computer science course, AP Computer Science, AP Principles of Computer Science, Mobile Development, and Data Structures and Game Design.
To get the new mobile development class approved, Schiff said he spoke with supervisor Anna Alfieri and Principal Peter Varela for their opinions, and last year filled out official paperwork requesting the additional course offering.
In addition, Schiff is also leading five students in a virtual reality independent study program using Unity. Two are learning game development while three are studying a biological component.
“I want to let them explore,” Schiff said. “I think it’s very important. It’s all very cutting edge. … I think this gives an opportunity to a lot of our students to really show colleges what they do.”
Outside of the classroom, Schiff has also been co-advising the computer science club at school with Alfieri since last year.
“It is completely student-run. The student officers make the lessons, present all material and help the other students with their code when they have issues,” he said.
Schiff also mentioned that there is an underrepresentation of females in the computer science field.
“[I]’m glad I can help inspire girls to take advanced computer science courses,” he said. “One third of the students – 29 to be exact – that enrolled in the Mobile App Development course are girls, and three of the five students I am doing independent study with are also girls.”
Contact Jennifer Amato at jamato@gmnews.com.
