What is Computational Thinking?
Our recommended framework, shown in the blue circle above, has three concentric circles.
Outermost Circle: computational thinking skills, the cognitive processes necessary to engage with computational tools to solve problems. These skills are the foundation to engage in any computational problem solving and should be integrated into early learning opportunities in K-2.
Middle Circle: computational thinking practices, they combine multiple computational skills to solve an applied problem. Students in the older grades (3-8) may use these practices to develop artifacts such as a computer program, data visualization, or computational model.
Innermost circle: inclusive pedagogies, the strategies for engaging all learners in computing, connecting applications to students’ interests and experiences, and providing opportunities to acknowledge, and combat biases and stereotypes within the computing field.
In addition, we utilize the CSTA K–12 Computer Science Standards to build our curriculum to ensure the learning activities truly engage students in these skills and practices.
Computational thinking is a set of skills and practices for solving complex problems, learning across disciplines, and participating fully in a computational world.
Think of it as “critical thinking” for STEM, or “literacy” for the digital age.
It overlaps with computer science, programming, and computing more generally— it is the skills needed to do these things well — but learning computational thinking is not the same thing as learning to code.
The 7 Key Computational Thinking Skills
Why it Works
Builds a Foundation: CT gives kids tools they'll reuse in math, science, and technology for the rest of school.
Breaks Down Big Problems: Kids learn to tackle complexity by chunking it into manageable pieces, a skill that outlasts any single subject.
Strengthens Every Subject: The same skills that power a coding project also power a lab report, an essay outline, or a data set in social studies.
Builds Grit: Debugging teaches kids that failing and trying again is part of the process, every time.
Teaches Teamwork: Most CT activities are collaborative, so kids learn to build ideas together.
Prepares for What’s Next: Kids leave K-8 understanding how technology actually works, giving them a head start wherever they go.
