AP Computer Science Principles Summer Assignment 2026-2027 - Summer work instructions

Sep 22, 2026

AP Computer Science Principles Summer Assignment 2026-2027 outlines two summer tasks that count as the first quiz on the first day of school. Students must read Blown to Bits chapters 1–3, build a chapter vocabulary list, and complete a double-entry journal with quotations/summaries plus reactions and page numbers. Students also set up the Runestone interactive textbook “How to Think Like a Computer Scientist,” enroll in the specified course, read Chapter 1, and answer all section questions before returning to class.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

Assignment Overview

Assignment #1: Blown to Bits

Reading and vocabulary (Chapters 1-3)

Double-entry journal requirements

Assignment #2: Runestone interactive textbook

Sign-up and course setup

Read Chapter 1 and answer section questions

AP Computer Science Principles Summer Assignment 2026-2027 I am very excited that you are taking this course, and I am looking forward to getting to know each and every one of you. AP Computer Science Principles is an introductory college-level computing course. Students cultivate their understanding of computer science through working with data, collaborating to solve problems, and developing computer programs as they explore concepts like creativity, abstraction, data and information, algorithms, programming, the internet, and the global impact of computing. We will spend a lot of time preparing for the AP exam, and you will be taking the exam sometime during the first two full weeks of May 2026. In order to ensure the best start for everyone next year, you will have to complete work this summer. The two assignments are due on the first day of school. It will count as your first quiz. Computer and computing technologies have created what is sometimes referred to as a “digital explosion”. With the growing development of computing technologies, more and more digital data is being produced at a pace so rapid that it almost seems to be feeding off itself. This concept raises some serious questions. Some of this data is public. Some of it is private, or at least we like to think it is. Where do we draw the line? Alternatively, could one be drawn? Who ultimately “owns” the data and the information that can be drawn from it? What are the security and privacy issues involving the data? These issues have an impact on all of our lives. Some of the impacts are beneficial, and yet some of them can be harmful. We will reflect on these concepts and issues throughout this class. Assignment \#1: Blown to Bits (20 pts) One way we will be addressing these issues in the course is by reading and discussing the book Blown to Bits: Your Life, Liberty, and Happiness After the Digital Explosion. This book is available without charge online. You can access the website by clicking the image below and download the file in pdf format or by typing [https://www.bitsbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/9780137441075-Blown-to-Bits-2e.pd](https://www.bitsbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/9780137441075-Blown-to-Bits-2e.pdf)[f](https://www.bitsbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/9780137441075-Blown-to-Bits-2e.pdf) [in your browser address bar.](in your browser address bar.) 1. You will need to read Chapters 1-3 and answer the questions, while reading you will also need to fill out the vocabulary list. 2. For each of the three chapters: a. Write a definition for each word in the associated vocabulary list (find definitions YOU understand, don’t get lazy and just write what you think it means. If you look it up make sure it matches what you are reading. ) | Vocabulary | | | | --- | --- | --- | | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | | Bit Blacklist Character Cyberspace Data center Data
Data network Disk drive Intellectual property Moore’s Law Network processor
Social networking whitelist | Ad hoc Database Data aggregation
Data mining
Data repository
Data sources Digital detritus Dossier EDREncode
Encryption IP address Metadata Query RFID | Algorithm
Analog ASCII
Cloud computing Cryptography Digital
Digital signal Processing Download
Lossless compression Lossy compression Megabyte
Megapixels Modeling OCR Pixels Raster
Render Spam | b. Write three responses in the associated double entry journal sheet for each chapter. Notes: (a) if the chapter has multiple sections, you must NOT have two responses to a quote, phrase, or summary from the same section. (b) If the chapter does not have enough separate sections, you must NOT have two responses to a quote, phrase or summary from the same concept. For each chapter, as you read, in the left column, write three ideas as per the instructions in the notes that you believe are critically important to the topic. You can quote the authors or summarize them. I

FAQs

When are the two summer assignments due, and what do they count as?

Both assignments are due on the first day of school, and they count as your first quiz.

What must students do for Assignment #1 after reading Blown to Bits chapters 1–3?

Students must complete the vocabulary list and write three double-entry journal responses per chapter, including page numbers and reactions.

How do students complete Assignment #2 using the Runestone interactive textbook?

Students sign up for “How to Think Like a Computer Scientist,” create the required course name, then read Chapter 1 General Introduction and answer each question in every section.

Sep 22, 2026

Uploaded by Taylor Morgan