Design is one of the key practices and principles of computer science. As designers and creators of technology, students can be innovative and expressive through the creation of artefacts. Computer science is also an information-intensive discipline that involves the selection, evaluation, recording and presentation of information. In this applied learning task, students will develop an interactive website that can display information (either local or remote data) from a database to meet a set of user needs. Through planning and designing an infrastructure that can display data, students will develop their knowledge of the role computing systems can play in communicating with and providing information about the world around them.

Hypothesising, making predictions, examining evidence, recognising patterns and reaching conclusions are at the heart of computer science. In this applied learning task, students will identify an interdisciplinary topic, develop a hypothesis and utilise existing resources to highlight the salient information and inform future decisions. By identifying, analysing, and deconstructing a problem, students will deepen their understanding of practices and principles of computer science.

Modelling, programming, and coding require careful analysis of patterns and relationships to solve problems. In this applied learning task, students will engage with a problem that is difficult to solve analytically, but that is amenable to a solution using simulation or modelling. Students will develop a computer system that simulates or models the problem. Engaging with a problem in this way will heighten students’ awareness and understanding of how algorithms can be used across a wide range of disciplines and subjects.

The design and application of computer hardware and software are a central part of computer science. In this applied learning task, students will implement a microprocessor system that uses sensors and controls digital inputs and outputs as part of an embedded system. By building the component parts of a computer system, students will deepen their understanding of how computers work and how they can be embedded in our everyday environments.