AP CSA (Java) Curriculum
Teacher Website
What is CSAwesome?
CSAwesome (course.csawesome.org) is a College board endorsed curriculum for AP CSA in Java. The AP CSA course is compatible with many CS1 courses at colleges and universities. The course emphasizes both object-oriented and imperative problem solving and design using Java, a text-based language.
The goals of CSAwesome are to support the transition of students and teachers from AP CSP to AP CSA and to prepare students and teachers for success on the AP CSA exam, while fostering problem-solving, algorithmic, and object-oriented design skills through creative interactive coding activities.
CSAwesome provides a free curriculum and e-book on Runestone, as well as teacher resources, and professional development opportunities. CSAwesome is an official College Board endorsed curriculum and professional development provider for AP CSA. The CSAwesome curriculum only requires a device with internet access to the free curriculum e-book. All Java coding activities in the curriculum can be run online within the pages of the e-book and are auto-graded providing valuable feedback to the students.
CSAwesome aligns closely with the AP CSA Course and Exam Description (CED) framework, addressing both the required content and skills. The curriculum systematically covers all course units and lessons following the order and scope of the CED. Each topic lesson integrates scaffolded exercises and projects that map to the AP CSA learning objectives and essential knowledge for each topic, as well as the computational thinking practices/skills below for 2025. Additionally, CSAwesome emphasizes practice with free-response and multiple-choice questions modeled after the AP exam, ensuring students are well-prepared for assessment while mastering the essential skills outlined in the framework.
Practice 1: Design Code
1.A: Determine an appropriate program design to solve a problem or accomplish a task.
1.B: Determine what knowledge can be extracted from data.
Practice 2: Develop Code
2.A: Write program code to implement an algorithm.
2.B: Write program code involving data abstractions.
2.C: Write program code involving procedural abstractions.
Practice 3: Analyze Code
3.A: Determine the result or output based on statement execution order in an algorithm.
3.B: Determine the result or output based on code that contains data abstractions.
3.C: Determine the result or output based on code that contains procedural abstractions.
3.D: Explain why a code segment will not compile or work as intended and modify the code to correct the error.
Practice 4: Document Code and Computing Systems
4.A: Describe the behavior of a code segment or program.
4.B: Describe the initial conditions that must be met for a code segment to work as intended or described.
Practice 5: Use Computers Responsibly
5.A: Explain how computing impacts society, economy, and culture.
CSAwesome Curriculum and Teacher Resources
Interested in teaching CSAwesome?
To get access to educator-only materials for CSAwesome, you must request access to the Google Group/Forum. Follow the steps below.
Go to https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/teaching-csawesome
Be sure that you are logged in using the email address that you’d like to have access with and receive email updates to.
In the textbox, include a link to your school’s staff directory page so we can verify your status as an educator.
Teacher Resources Access
Having Trouble? Try switching accounts to ensure you are logged in using the account that is approved. You can also try using the direct link to the CSAwesome Drive (below).
Changing Emails: Some educators find that there are conflicts with using your school email. If you need to switch emails, you can email us at info@csawesome.org from your school account and provide us with a personal Gmail address.
Reducing Emails: This is an involved group of teachers who are passionate about teaching CSA and eager to help each other out. If you want to change the number of emails you receive, you can adjust your settings by visiting the forum web page and then clicking My Settings (person+gear icon in the upper right of the screen). If you leave the group, you will lose access to the materials, however, you can switch the settings so that you don't receive emails.
CSAwesome Professional Development
Which CSAwesome PD is right for you?
CSAwesome PD is offered in various lengths and can be completed online or hybrid depending on your experience with Java and AP CSA.
Along with the formal professional development, participants receive ongoing support from a PD facilitator that is experienced with teaching CSAwesome throughout the academic year.