Mr. Higgins’ Blog

Since starting the Marine Biology Case Study, which goes along with both the AP Computer Science A and AB curriculum, I have changed my opinion about this simulation.  I still do not like the idea of the case study; however, when you have great students like I am blessed with this year, it is absolutely unbelieveable what can be created.

As a first year teacher and former AP Computer Science A student, I have been against the idea of the case study and always felt that a class loses ALL MOMENTUM, once the simulation is dicussed.  After watching my students, it is hard to believe how inspired they are to continue to push and push the simulation.  My students have created new types of fish, edited the GUI, created many different types of creatures.  Here are some of the more comical…

1. A nuclear fish, which exploids and kill all other fish in the environment.
2. A pirate ship and island.  The funny part is that when a ship runs into an island, it becomes shipwreck.
3. Instead of breeding a fish, breeding an egg into the environment and watching the fish actually grow up.
4. Create different seasons and watch the environment change colors and watch how fish and other creates change types.
5. A killer fish which attacks other fish based on a large group of criteria
6. A bulldozer which can knock down islands.
7. A volcano that eventually develops into islands after sitting around long enough.

We have had more comical situations over the last couple weeks than ever to this point.  A couple students the other day joked with me that we are going “to a point of no return.”  The concepts they are using are very intelligent and include polymorphism, inheritance, gui manipulation, interfaces, abstract classes, and all types of variables.  The teacher resources have barely been touched by me, because we have literally been playing around for two weeks now and I am simply amazed.