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AOPS Python?


trulycrabby
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Sorry for all these questions lately, but has anyone here taken the AOPS Python online class? DS12 is currently taking AOPS Prealgebra 2 and loves it, but we were wondering if it was as challenging as the math classes. I don't want to overload his schedule, and two challenging aops classes at once might be too much.

 

Thanks in advance for any help or advice!

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Answering my own post again, I found this thread stating that aops python was very vigorous, but that it had been broken down into two courses that weren't quite so challenging. Right now we might pass on it until he hets a little more programming experience, unless I hear some encouraging words.

 

http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/555335-computer-science-programming-online-courses/?hl=%2Baops+%2Bpython&do=findComment&comment=6425871

Edited by trulycrabby
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My DS 10 took it last year along with Pre Algebra over summer. It was challenging to do both at the same time. What we loved about the class was the capstone project where they had program one ( or more) board games and he had lot of fun doing that. He collaborated with some of his classmates to program mastermind! He is planning to do start intermediate Python this summer. 

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My DS11 is taking the intro class that runs end Feb to mid May 2016. He is taking it concurrent with the precalculus class that runs Dec to May. If you want feedback, remind me in May.

 

How is his workload?  My son wanted to do PreCalculus and Python next fall. 

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  • 1 month later...

How is his workload? My son wanted to do PreCalculus and Python next fall.

Python homework so far was light and he could finish fast. His workload for Precalculus is heavy or light depending on how good he is in that week's topic already. Overall very manageable.

 

The online precalculus textbook was a useful add-on purchase as he could do his work anywhere (usually library) with his laptop and free wifi without having to bring the textbook as well.

 

The python textbook is online.

 

ETA:

The homework for the Python class is light for the whole course so doing a math class with a Python class is doable.

Edited by Arcadia
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  • 1 year later...

I wanted to bump this post. Thinking about next year, Sacha would be 9 turning 10 in 2018-2019, and will be in AoPS Academy prealgebra (academic year-long course). Would the Python course would be approachable at this age?

 

Between these two books, which do you like better:

 

https://www.amazon.com/Python-Programming-Absolute-Beginner-Edition/dp/1435455002

 

https://www.amazon.com/Python-Kids-Playful-Introduction-Programming-ebook/dp/B00ADX21Z6/ref=sr_1_27?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1510680400&sr=1-27&keywords=python

 

He has some experience with programming already (Scratch and Youth Digital Mod Design I).

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Thinking about next year, Sacha would be 9 turning 10 in 2018-2019, and will be in AoPS Academy prealgebra (academic year-long course). Would the Python course would be approachable at this age?

Both the intro and intermediate python class were light which is why we didn’t sign DS11 for either and he went straight to AP Computer Science A last fall with no difficulty. If Sacha could attend for free, it would still be a fun class. I won’t spend charter funds on the classes though and would use those funds for something else.

 

DS12 didn’t use any outside books when he took both the courses. He did the intermediate python class as a summer past time last summer, cheaper than summer camp in our area.

 

ETA:

DS12 wants to spend his summer on academics, DS11 rather play his iPad or android games all summer. So that’s how our budgeting works.

Edited by Arcadia
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I wanted to bump this post. Thinking about next year, Sacha would be 9 turning 10 in 2018-2019, and will be in AoPS Academy prealgebra (academic year-long course). Would the Python course would be approachable at this age?

 

Between these two books, which do you like better:

 

https://www.amazon.com/Python-Programming-Absolute-Beginner-Edition/dp/1435455002

 

https://www.amazon.com/Python-Kids-Playful-Introduction-Programming-ebook/dp/B00ADX21Z6/ref=sr_1_27?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1510680400&sr=1-27&keywords=python

 

He has some experience with programming already (Scratch and Youth Digital Mod Design I).

 

Peter is working through Python for Kids right now.  I can't speak to its rigor or thoroughness, but everything is very well explained, and he is constantly tickled by the examples and exercise topics.  He just finished an exercise where he wrote a program that tells a person what they should do if they encounter ninjas based on how many ninjas there are (when they should run away, when they should stay and fight, etc).

 

Examples in the book have included creating and editing a wizard's shopping list (including snake dandruff :ack2: ), calculating how many gold coins a magic treasure machine will produce, figuring out how long it will take to flatten enough tin cans to build a spaceship, etc.  Plus lots of the example code entails playing with and printing really good jokes like, "Why do gorillas have big nostrils?  Big fingers!!"   :001_rolleyes:

 

So far, I have been very pleased with the book, and my husband who programs for a living, seems to think it is doing a good job as well.  It might not be the most in depth book, but it seems to be a very fun, well written introduction.

 

Wendy

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Peter is working through Python for Kids right now.  I can't speak to its rigor or thoroughness, but everything is very well explained, and he is constantly tickled by the examples and exercise topics.  He just finished an exercise where he wrote a program that tells a person what they should do if they encounter ninjas based on how many ninjas there are (when they should run away, when they should stay and fight, etc).

 

Examples in the book have included creating and editing a wizard's shopping list (including snake dandruff :ack2: ), calculating how many gold coins a magic treasure machine will produce, figuring out how long it will take to flatten enough tin cans to build a spaceship, etc.  Plus lots of the example code entails playing with and printing really good jokes like, "Why do gorillas have big nostrils?  Big fingers!!"   :001_rolleyes:

 

So far, I have been very pleased with the book, and my husband who programs for a living, seems to think it is doing a good job as well.  It might not be the most in depth book, but it seems to be a very fun, well written introduction.

 

Wendy

 

Omg, Sacha would love this. Thank you, Wendy. Adding it to the Amazon cart right now!

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Thanks for starting this thread.... I'd found some Python books at our library, but not the ones mentioned. The Python for kids is probably more suited for younger kids...I just read the reviews and not everyone is loving it for older kids. I'm hoping to have my kids do a weekly Python workshop with one of their friends whose parents are amazing coders (figure they can bail us out if needed!)

 

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