Lesson plans
“The world is the true classroom. The most rewarding and important type of learning is through experience, seeing something with our own eyes.”
Jack Hanna
The following materials provide a snapshot of my Canvas courses and how I intentionally structure each one for clarity, engagement, and mastery. Each course is organized into consistent modules and step-by-step learning pathways that break down skills into manageable targets, with assignments and assessments aligned to standards and designed to support student growth over time. These examples highlight how I build an organized digital learning experience that helps students stay on track, understand expectations, and progress from foundational knowledge to mastery through practice, feedback, and revision.
Creative Coding
A project-based course where students learn programming fundamentals through art, animation, and interactive design. This class centers Native American perspectives and creativity, encouraging students to express identity, storytelling, and culture through code while building confidence in computational thinking and digital creation.
Exploring Computer Science
Exploring Computer Science is designed to introduce students to the breadth of the field of computer science through an exploration of engaging and accessible topics. The course focuses on the conceptual ideas of computing and helps students understand why certain tools or languages might be utilized to solve particular problems. The goal of Exploring Computer Science is to develop in students the computational thinking practices of algorithm development, problem solving, and programming within the context of problems that are relevant to the lives of today’s students. Students will also be introduced to topics such as artificial intelligence, web development, programming, robotics, and physical computing.
Computer Programing 1
In this class, students will be introduced to the fundamentals of computer programming. Students will learn to design, code, and test programs while applying mathematical concepts to real-life projects. You will be introduced to coding concepts and problem-solving skills through a programming language (Python), where you will learn: algorithms, variables, data types, operators, conditionals, loops, and functions. Students will come away with a personal project that they will work on that can be added to their portfolios.
Computer Programing 2
In this class, students will build on the concepts introduced in Computer Programming 1. This course will explore more complex data structures and their uses, including sequential files, arrays, classes, and recursion in Python. Students will come away with various hands-on projects that incorporate electronics, robotics, self-driving AI cars, and machine learning that can be added to students’ portfolios.
Game Development 1
This course will provide students with knowledge and project-based experience of fundamental gaming development concepts as they learn to make games in Unity and C# for a PC game. Students will learn concepts such as game design, scripting, creation of digital assets, graphic resources, 2D and 3D models and animations, problem solving, critical thinking, collaboration, and project management. Students will work through the game development life cycle to create game elements, mechanics, and prototypes that will result in a completed PC game.
Game Development 2
Mixed reality is the frontier of game development. This course builds on the fundamentals explored in Game Development Fundamentals 1 as students create games for virtual reality headsets. Students will gain experience in Blender (to create assets), Unity and C# to apply their knowledge of game development principles. Students will learn the aesthetic game design components, design usability, and functional game design as they go through the game development life cycle: pre-production, production, and post-production.
Web Development 1
Students will learn the basics of web development and design as they create their own website that will be deployed to the web. Students will learn basic web design and user experience design by utilizing wireframes and prototypes in Figma. Students will apply their knowledge of prototypes as they learn the fundamentals of front-end web development by learning HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Students will learn these principles through various projects such as creating clones of well-known websites, producing an e-commerce site, and developing games in JavaScript.
Web Development 2
Students will learn more intermediate concepts of web development and design as they create their own website that will be deployed to the web. Students will learn these principles through various projects such as creating clones of well-known websites, producing an e-commerce site, and developing games in JavaScript. Furthermore, students will work to understand JS and frontend web development more as they code in Vue and MongoDB.
AP Computer Science A
This year-long college-like course is a capstone course that seeks to place emphasis on students’ interests and personal projects as it relates to computer science to prepare students to take the AP Computer Science exam. Students will develop computational thinking practices as it applies to Java by learning: conditional statements, arrays, array lists, 2d arrays, methods, loops, and object oriented programming. Lessons will incorporate pair-programming and hands-on applicable (such as Minecraft modifications in Java) projects as students work to complete a capstone project that they can add to their portfolios.
Kids Who Code
Kids Who Code gave BYU students the opportunity to mentor and teach kids how to code. This was a great way to give back their coding knowledge to the community and for those who don't know how to code, working with the young kids is a great way to learn! We volunteered at schools and community centers throughout Provo City with an emphasis on teaching low-income kids. With this emphasis, we believe that our program can help in making a more diverse and equal workforce in technology.
