By Hailey Sim Zhi Rui (Vice-Chairperson)
Click clack click clack… “I’m in!”. If you’ve watched movies and seen their coders, you might assume every coder is an energy-drink-chugging, midnight-oil-burning tech wizard who cracks complex algorithms with a few keystrokes and a couple lines of neon green. While reality may be far from that (our computer labs are well lit and smell great!), it is no less fascinating to learn about computer science and all the amazing things you can do with it. Join us at CSS where we blend the thrill of tech with a vibrant, supportive community, making learning to code both exciting and enjoyable!
Our Branches
“Isn’t CSS just H2 computing?”
“I’m not interested in coding, what can you even do with it?”
These are all common questions asked about Computer Science Society (CSS). No, we’re really not H2 Computing tuition in disguise, nor is what we learn restricted by any Cambridge syllabus.
In fact, how much you take away from your time here is limited only by your hunger to learn. Think of us as a coding buffet — come for the basics, stay for the endless possibilities, and leave with a full plate of tech skills and maybe even a few extra brain cells!
That being said, we have three branches for our members to explore, taught by Y6 student trainers.
Web Development
- Learn HTML, CSS, and Javascript
- Experiment with making your own websites
- Plenty of time and resources (and friends to build websites with!)
- Opportunities to collaborate with other CCAs to build and improve their websites
- Useful for participating in hackathons
Cybersecurity
- Learn cryptography, web penetration, binary exploitation and more
- Break into online systems, reverse engineer code, and decipher odd texts – all legally!
- Opportunities to create your own bamboozling challenges for the school
- Useful for Capture-The-Flag competitions (gamified, rewarded hacking!)
Data Science
- Learn the fundamentals of statistics, neural networks and machine learning
- Find out the magic behind AI!
- Practise training and building your own models in lessons
- Useful for research projects
Pre-requisites (or lack thereof)
If you’re worried about whether or not you’ll be suited for the lessons conducted, fret not! CSS welcomes everyone, from seasoned pros to complete beginners.
Every course starts with foundational lessons for budding coders to gain proficiency, while our diverse branches offer unique content for the more experienced, ensuring you’ll either discover something new or get more practice in areas you’re already passionate about.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to deepen your expertise, CSS has something for everyone!
Come Join Us!
CSS is held weekly on Wednesdays from 8.30 a.m. to 11 a.m., in the Computer Labs.
Whether you’re looking to understand the inner workings of websites, learn more about what “hacking” entails, or explore the cutting-edge field of data science, CSS offers a vibrant and engaging environment to expand your tech skills. We can’t guarantee that CSS will instantly turn you into a spell-slinging computing wizard. But if you are willing to give it a shot, CSS will help you embark on this journey of magic and discovery.
We can’t wait to welcome you to CSS!
Achievements
Cyberthon 2024
Best scorer for Data Science Challenge and overall 6th (Team “Porridge”) Overall 5th (Team ctf=
)
Whitehacks 2024
Overall 5th (Team “owpy sris”)
Overall 9th (Team “peppacarssleepingtwice”) FAQs:
Do I need a computer?
While it is recommended, we conduct sessions in computer labs where they are accessible. :D However, if you’d like to continue working on fun projects at home, it would be best to get one.
What if we have areas of interest beyond what is taught?
Our student trainers will be very enthusiastic in helping you with any questions you may have, including but not limited to passion projects and providing more resources!
Will CSS have any competitions?
We do not make attending any competitions compulsory, but our branch contents will be helpful in training you for some of them.