Bootstrap: Algebra

Bootstrap:Algebra applies mathematical concepts and rigorous programming principles to creating a simple video game, and is aligned to National and State Standards for Mathematics, as well as the CSTA standards and K12CS frameworks. The module can be taught as a separate, standalone tech or CS class, or can be integrated into a mainstream math class, delivered by a math teacher with no prior CS experience. In Bootstrap:Algebra, students create a simple, 3-character game involving a player, a target and a danger. They design what each character looks like, and use mathematical concepts such as coordinate planes, order of operations, ratio and proportion, Domain and Range, function composition, word problems and the distance formula to detect collisions, handle keystrokes, and determine how they move and interact. In addition to learning programming, students who take Bootstrap:Algebra have shown improvement on standard, pencil-and-paper algebra tasks.

If your department is looking to partner with local schools, districts or departments of education to broaden participation, Bootstrap can serve as a third-party partner that provides tested, high-quality curriculum and training – along with a decade of experience in the K12 field – allowing your department to focus on recruiting and supporting teachers and building local relationships instead of re-inventing CS curriculum.Bootstrap crafts research-based curricular modules for grades 6-12. Our materials reinforce core concepts from mainstream subjects like algebra, enabling non-CS teachers to adopt our introductory materials while delivering rigorous and engaging computing content drawn from CS classes at universities like Brown, WPI, and Northeastern. By leveraging the existing network of math, social studies, and science teachers nationwide, Bootstrap is built to scale. We work with school districts across the country, reaching hundreds of teachers and thousands of students each year. Most of our teachers have also attended a Bootstrap Workshop, where they received specialized training to deliver the class.